A cytoprotective mitochondrial-derived peptide studied in stress and ageing. Structurally it is Mitochondrial-derived peptide (24 aa, encoded in 16S rRNA).

How strong is the evidence for Humanin?

PeptideHormone grades Humanin at the "Preclinical" evidence tier — the evidence is largely animal or in-vitro, with human data thin or absent. It is catalogued as an endogenous signal the body produces itself, and the tier is an editorial judgment about the public literature that can change as the science does.

What is the half-life of Humanin?

The reported circulating half-life of Humanin is ~minutes (native; analogs longer).

Humanin

A cytoprotective mitochondrial-derived peptide studied in stress and ageing.

EndogenousPreclinical

The peptide that started the search: written in mitochondrial DNA, and the reason anyone thought to look for more.

Identity

Class: Mitochondrial-derived peptide (24 aa, encoded in 16S rRNA)
Source: Encoded in mitochondrial DNA
Receptor: Proposed receptors incl. a trimeric receptor and intracellular targets

Key properties

Evidence floorPreclinicalREF1PRE1

Molecular weight

~2,687.1 Da

REF

Half-life (native)

~minutes (native; analogs longer)

PRE

Approximate values for the native hormone; engineered analogs are often deliberately larger and far longer-acting. Each figure carries its own provenance tier, and the floor is the weakest of them - the Standard.

Mechanism

Humanin is a mitochondrial-encoded peptide with broad cytoprotective and anti-apoptotic effects, studied in neuroprotection, metabolic stress, and ageing. Several signaling routes have been proposed, but its full mechanism and human physiology are still being characterized.

Reference notes

Like MOTS-c, it is encoded in mitochondrial DNA — part of the emerging mitochondrial-derived-peptide class.
Its hallmark is cytoprotection — limiting cell death under stress.
The evidence base is mostly preclinical; human roles remain under study.

Common questions

What is Humanin?: A cytoprotective mitochondrial-derived peptide studied in stress and ageing. Structurally it is Mitochondrial-derived peptide (24 aa, encoded in 16S rRNA).
How does Humanin work?: Humanin is a mitochondrial-encoded peptide with broad cytoprotective and anti-apoptotic effects, studied in neuroprotection, metabolic stress, and ageing. Several signaling routes have been proposed, but its full mechanism and human physiology are still being characterized.
How strong is the evidence for Humanin?: PeptideHormone grades Humanin at the "Preclinical" evidence tier — the evidence is largely animal or in-vitro, with human data thin or absent. It is catalogued as an endogenous signal the body produces itself, and the tier is an editorial judgment about the public literature that can change as the science does.
What is the half-life of Humanin?: The reported circulating half-life of Humanin is ~minutes (native; analogs longer).

Selected literature

Curated peer-reviewed reviews, sourced from PubMed. Selected for relevance, not exhaustive — open any entry on PubMed for the full record and its primary citations.

1.Humanin and Its Pathophysiological Roles in Aging: A Systematic Review · Biology, 2023 · PMID 37106758
2.Humanin and diabetes mellitus: A review of in vitro and in vivo studies · World journal of diabetes, 2022 · PMID 35432758

External references

Humanin in the public knowledge graph — the same entity resolved across the authoritative chemistry and protein databases.