SS-31

SS-31 is an amidated tetrapeptide containing D-arginine and dimethyltyrosine, studied for interactions with mitochondrial cardiolipin.

Identity

Sequence

H-[D-Arg][Dmt]KF-NH2

Residues

4

Molecular formula

C₃₂H₄₉N₉O₅

Average molecular weight

639.8 g/mol

Monoisotopic mass (calculated)

639.3857 Da

CAS number

736992-21-5

PubChem CID

11764719

Strengths

10–50 mg

Other names

Elamipretide · MTP-131 · Szeto-Schiller peptide 31

Dmt in the sequence means 2′,6′-dimethyl-L-tyrosine.

Identity data from: PubChem CID 11764719

Research overview

SS-31, also known as elamipretide or MTP-131, is a tetrapeptide with the sequence D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe and an amidated carboxyl terminus. Dmt denotes a dimethylated tyrosine residue, while D-Arg specifies the configuration of the first residue. Reviews place SS-31 within the Szeto-Schiller peptide family and examine its association with cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane [1][2].

The earlier review describes electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions between SS-31 and cardiolipin. It relates those interactions to the behaviour of cytochrome c, distinguishing its electron-carrying role from its peroxidase activity. Mitochondrial cristae structure and oxidative phosphorylation are discussed as experimental readouts connected with this membrane system. The later review revisits the peptide's structure and surveys mitochondrial observations across multiple preclinical models. The earlier review also discusses cardiolipin’s structural role in cristae formation and the organisation of respiratory complexes into supercomplexes in the inner mitochondrial membrane [1][2].

A separate study used a lipopolysaccharide model in mice and examined hippocampal mitochondrial function, oxidative stress, inflammatory markers and dendritic spines. Its molecular analyses included BDNF-related signalling and synaptic proteins. Molecular biology techniques and ELISA assessed mitochondrial and inflammatory measurements. TUNEL was used to examine neural cell apoptosis, while Golgi staining was used to measure dendritic-spine density in the hippocampus [3].

Laboratory storage and handling

Store the sealed vial at the temperature specified in the lot documentation, protected from light and moisture. Allow the closed vial to reach room temperature before opening to limit condensation on the material. Avoid repeated freezing and thawing of laboratory stocks. Record the lot identifier and storage history with the experiment, and use standard laboratory protective equipment when handling the peptide.

Questions about SS-31

References

1. First-in-class cardiolipin-protective compound as a therapeutic agent to restore mitochondrial bioenergetics. Br J Pharmacol 2014. PMID 24117165
2. Elamipretide: A Review of Its Structure, Mechanism of Action, and Therapeutic Potential. Int J Mol Sci 2025. PMID 39940712
3. Elamipretide (SS-31) improves mitochondrial dysfunction, synaptic and memory impairment induced by lipopolysaccharide in mice. J Neuroinflammation 2019. PMID 31747905

Identity data checked on 2026-09-24. Literature summaries describe published research models and are not specifications of any product lot.