SS-31 (Elamipretide) — Research Summary

Research Use Only · Not for Human or Veterinary Use

Mitochondria-targeted tetrapeptide studied for cardiolipin stabilization, mitoch

SS-31 (Elamipretide)

An evidence summary of published preclinical research on SS-31 (Elamipretide). This page is educational and summarizes findings reported in third-party scientific literature. No claims are made regarding safety or efficacy in humans.

Molecular Data

FORMULA C32H49N7O5
MOLECULAR WEIGHT 615.77 g/mol
SEQUENCE D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NHâ‚‚

Compound Overview

SS-31 (also known as Elamipretide or Bendavia/MTP-131) is a synthetic tetrapeptide that selectively concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane. Developed by Dr. Hazel Szeto at Weill Cornell Medicine, it belongs to the Szeto-Schiller (SS) peptide family designed to target mitochondria. SS-31 accumulates at 1,000-5,000x concentration in mitochondria relative to cytosol, making it one of the most potent mitochondria-targeted therapeutics studied.

Reported Mechanism (Preclinical)

SS-31 selectively binds to cardiolipin, a phospholipid unique to the inner mitochondrial membrane that is critical for electron transport chain complex organization and cristae structure. By stabilizing cardiolipin, SS-31 optimizes electron transport chain efficiency, reduces electron leak and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and preserves mitochondrial membrane potential. This improves ATP production while reducing oxidative stress at its primary source.

Mechanisms described above are reported in preclinical (animal and in vitro) literature and have not been established for human use.

Key Research Highlights

  • Improved mitochondrial function and reduced ROS in aged mouse cardiac tissue (Dai et al., 2014)
  • Reversed age-related decline in skeletal muscle mitochondrial energetics in elderly humans (Siegel et al., 2019)
  • Protected against ischemia-reperfusion injury in cardiac and renal models
  • Improved left ventricular function in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (TAKT trial)
  • Demonstrated reversal of age-related changes in mitochondrial proteome and cristae structure

Published References

  1. Mitochondrial targeted peptide SS-31 prevents age-related mitochondrial dysfunction
    J Am Heart Assoc, 2014
  2. Elamipretide improves mitochondrial function in elderly humans
    J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci, 2019
  3. Szeto-Schiller peptides: a new class of mitochondria-targeted antioxidants
    Free Radic Biol Med, 2016

Available for Research

Lab-tested, third-party COA published, U.S. ships same day.

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