Unlike other phospholipids, cardiolipin has four fatty-acid chains and a structure that lets it concentrate in the curved regions of the inner mitochondrial membrane. There it helps hold together the respiratory chain complexes that produce the cell's energy.
Its weak point is that it is highly vulnerable to oxidation. When it oxidises, the respiratory complexes work less well, more reactive oxygen species are generated and the mitochondrion can trigger cell-death signals. That deterioration has been described in models of ageing and of various diseases.
SS-31 (elamipretide) is a synthetic, positively charged tetrapeptide with alternating aromatic amino acids that concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane and binds to cardiolipin. It has been studied for its ability to stabilise that membrane and improve respiratory chain efficiency.
Cardiolipin explains the mechanism of SS-31 and why it is grouped with mitochondrial-function compounds, even though it works very differently from MOTS-c or NAD+.
Related terms
Learn it in depth at the Peptide University
- Complementary monographs (16–20) · Module 14
- Longevity and mitochondrial function · Module 6
Related catalogue compounds
Definition for educational and scientific purposes. It is not medical advice or a recommendation for use. NeoPeptidos products are sold labelled for research use only (RUO).