About SS-31
SS-31, also known by the non-proprietary name elamipretide, is a synthetic tetrapeptide from the Szeto–Schiller (SS) family of small, cell-permeable peptides, which feature alternating aromatic and basic amino acids [1]. Its sequence is D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2, where Dmt is the non-standard amino acid 2′,6′-dimethyltyrosine. It has the molecular formula C32H49N9O5 and a molecular weight of approximately 639.8 g/mol.
A medicinal product containing elamipretide has received accelerated approval in the United States for a rare inherited mitochondrial disease. The product sold here is not that medicine: it is a research chemical for laboratory use only. For an overview of the published literature, see our longevity peptides research summary. Related research compounds include MOTS-c and NAD+.
Areas of research
Published research on SS-31 includes:
- early studies of Szeto–Schiller peptides that concentrate at the inner mitochondrial membrane, in isolated mitochondria and cell models [1]
- fluorescence studies showing that SS-31 binds with high affinity to cardiolipin, a phospholipid of the inner mitochondrial membrane, in a model of kidney ischaemia [2]
- a review of the development of SS-31 as a cardiolipin-targeting compound [3]
- biophysical and computational studies of how SS-31 interacts with model and mitochondrial membranes [4]
Much of the published work uses isolated mitochondria, cell models and animal models.
Product specifications
| Form |
Lyophilised (freeze-dried) powder in a sealed vial |
| Sizes |
10mg, 50mg |
| Sequence |
D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2 (Dmt = 2′,6′-dimethyltyrosine) |
| Molecular formula |
C32H49N9O5 |
| Molecular weight |
approx. 639.8 g/mol |
| Purity |
COA shown is for the 50mg batch. |
| Availability |
Made to order: please allow 14–16 days in total, including delivery |
Storage and handling
Storage & Handling — Corex Vitality™ research vials
- As supplied: freeze-dried (lyophilised) powder in a sealed vial. Room-temperature transit is normal for dry peptides.
- Longer storage: keep the vial tightly closed in a freezer at −20 °C or colder, dry and away from light. Colder is better for long archives.
- Short-term: a laboratory fridge (2–8 °C) is fine for vials you plan to open soon.
- Before opening: let the closed vial warm to room temperature, ideally in a desiccator, so moisture does not condense on the powder. Work quickly and reseal tightly; absorbed moisture lowers the real peptide content.
- Dissolving: choose a solvent based on the sequence (see the compound note below) and test a small portion first. Swirl gently; brief sonication in a water bath can help. Do not heat.
- Once in solution: make up only what you need. Split any solution you keep into single-use aliquots, freeze at −20 °C or colder and thaw each aliquot only once. Peptides keep far less well in solution than as dry powder.
- Safety: handle in a suitable laboratory with appropriate PPE, following your institution’s safety procedures, and avoid breathing the powder. Keep out of reach of children.
Compound note: Basic tetrapeptide with no Cys, Met or Trp; water-friendly. Keep it dry and tightly sealed, as it can take up moisture.
For in-vitro laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. General guidance paraphrased from Bachem: Handling and Storage Guidelines for Peptides and Peptide Solubility.
Quality and testing
SS-31 has been tested by third-party analytical laboratories using HPLC. The COA shown is for the 50mg batch; no separate COA has been issued for the 10mg size. You can also browse every published certificate on our COA and verification page.
Research use only
For in-vitro laboratory research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. These products are research chemicals. They are not medicines, food, or supplements. They have not been evaluated by the MHRA, FDA, or any other regulatory body. Not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All descriptions are for reference and research documentation purposes only. By purchasing, you confirm you are aged 18+ and using these products exclusively for in vitro laboratory research.
References
- Zhao K, et al. Cell-permeable peptide antioxidants targeted to inner mitochondrial membrane inhibit mitochondrial swelling, oxidative cell death, and reperfusion injury. J Biol Chem. 2004. PubMed 15178689
- Birk AV, et al. The mitochondrial-targeted compound SS-31 re-energizes ischemic mitochondria by interacting with cardiolipin. J Am Soc Nephrol. 2013. PubMed 23813215
- Szeto HH. First-in-class cardiolipin-protective compound as a therapeutic agent to restore mitochondrial bioenergetics. Br J Pharmacol. 2014. PubMed 24117165
- Mitchell W, et al. The mitochondria-targeted peptide SS-31 binds lipid bilayers and modulates surface electrostatics as a key component of its mechanism of action. J Biol Chem. 2020. PubMed 32273339
