SS-31

Description

SS-31 is a tetrapeptide designed to do one thing: accumulate selectively at the inner mitochondrial membrane. Alternating aromatic and cationic residues — D-Arg, dimethylTyr, Lys, Phe — give it affinity for cardiolipin, the phospholipid unique to that membrane. The selectivity is not incidental. At the inner mitochondrial membrane, the peptide concentrates at roughly a thousand-fold higher level than in the cytoplasm, which is what makes it interesting as a tool compound.

Proposed Mechanism

The mechanism runs through cardiolipin binding and its consequences for electron transport chain organization. SS-31 has been reported to stabilize ETC supercomplexes and reduce reactive oxygen species production in aged and stressed mitochondria. Szeto (2008, 2014) published the mechanism and initial pharmacology. Chavez et al. (2020) characterized the cardiolipin-peptide interaction in more structural detail, which matters because the alternating aromatic-cationic pattern is what confers the selectivity — variants with altered residue patterns lose most of the mitochondrial targeting.

Research Literature

Szeto (2008, AAPS Journal; 2014, British Journal of Pharmacology) are the mechanism reviews. Chavez et al. (2020) handled the structural work on cardiolipin binding. Birk et al. (2013, Journal of the American Society of Nephrology) characterized SS-31’s protective effects in renal ischemia-reperfusion research, which is one of the more extensively replicated contexts for the compound. The research base spans multiple tissue-specific mitochondrial dysfunction models.

Further reading: PubMed references for this compound.

Research Applications

Used in cardiolipin-binding research, mitochondrial electron transport chain stability assays, ischemia-reperfusion injury models, and aged-mitochondria ROS research. Selectively accumulates at the inner mitochondrial membrane at 1000-fold higher concentration than cytoplasm.

Supplied strictly for laboratory research use. Not for human or veterinary use.

Reconstitution

Supplied as a lyophilized powder. Reconstitute with bacteriostatic water prior to use. Use the Peptigo reconstitution calculator for guidance on volume and concentration.

Storage

• Unopened: room temperature up to 30 days during transit; refrigerate at 2-8°C long-term.
• Reconstituted: refrigerate at 2-8°C; stable 4-6 weeks. Protect from light.

Quality Verification

Every batch is independently tested by Janoshik Analytical. Certificates of Analysis include HPLC-UV purity, LC-MS identity confirmation, LAL bacterial endotoxin quantification, and USP <71> sterility testing.

Not a drug, supplement, or cosmetic. For in vitro research use only. Not for human consumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this product legal to purchase in Canada for research use?

Peptigo supplies all products strictly for laboratory and in vitro research use. The compound is not a drug, supplement, or cosmetic, and is not sold for human or veterinary use. Researchers purchasing for their own laboratory work, university research programs, or independent in vitro protocols are the intended customer base. Health Canada’s April 2026 advisory specifically addresses unauthorized injectable peptide use; the research-use framing of this product is independent of that consumer-use category.

How is purity verified, and where can I see the Certificate of Analysis?

Every batch is tested independently by Janoshik Analytical, an accredited third-party laboratory. The standard testing panel includes HPLC-UV purity verification, LC-MS identity confirmation, LAL bacterial endotoxin quantification, and USP sterility testing. The Certificate of Analysis for each batch is available on the product page after purchase, and the testing methodology is detailed on the Lab Testing reference page.

What is the standard reconstitution and storage protocol for laboratory use?

The compound is supplied as a lyophilized powder. The standard diluent for reconstitution in research protocols is bacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol). The Peptigo reconstitution calculator handles the volume-and-concentration arithmetic for a given target research dose. Unopened lyophilized peptide is stable at room temperature for up to 30 days during transit and should be refrigerated at 2-8°C for long-term storage. Reconstituted peptide should be refrigerated at 2-8°C and is typically functional for 4-6 weeks; protect from light.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SS-31 (Elamipretide)?

SS-31, also called elamipretide, is a synthetic mitochondria-targeting peptide. In research it is studied for how it binds cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane and its effects on mitochondrial bioenergetics in laboratory models.

SS-31 vs MOTS-c, what’s the difference?

Both relate to mitochondria but through different mechanisms. SS-31 research focuses on stabilizing the inner mitochondrial membrane, while MOTS-c is a mitochondrial-derived peptide studied for metabolic signaling. Researchers sometimes study them in parallel.

Is SS-31 legal in Canada?

SS-31 is sold strictly as a research material in Canada and is not approved for human use. See are peptides legal in 2026.

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