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Research overview

What Is SS-31?

Last reviewed:

SS-31 (elamipretide) is a synthetic aromatic-cationic tetrapeptide that concentrates at the inner mitochondrial membrane and associates with the phospholipid cardiolipin. In 2026 an elamipretide medicine received its first regulatory approval overseas; the SS-31 described here is a laboratory reference material, not that medicine.

Cardiolipin-binding tetrapeptide Reference material — not a medicine

Research use only · Not for human consumption · 18+. This page summarises published mitochondrial pharmacology. It does not establish safety or effectiveness of any laboratory material and is not a recommendation to administer SS-31.

How is SS-31 classified and what is its structure?

SS-31 is one of the Szeto-Schiller peptides: a four-residue sequence (D-Arg · 2′,6′-dimethyltyrosine · Lys · Phe) whose alternating aromatic and cationic residues let it cross membranes and accumulate at the inner mitochondrial membrane independently of membrane potential.

How is SS-31’s mechanism studied in research?

The foundational 2004 work characterised cell-permeable peptide antioxidants targeted to the inner mitochondrial membrane. Subsequent research centres on its association with cardiolipin — the signature phospholipid of the inner membrane — and downstream readouts including cristae structure, electron-transport efficiency and reactive-oxygen measures.

These are laboratory readouts in cells and animal models, not demonstrations of a clinical outcome for any supplied material.

What kind of research has been published on SS-31?

A 2025 review covers the structure, mechanism of action and research uses of elamipretide. Preclinical studies include mitochondrial-function work in tafazzin-knockdown mice (2022), a model of Barth syndrome. A clinical development programme also exists and led to a first overseas regulatory approval in 2026; that concerns the regulated medicine, not laboratory reference material.

What compounds is SS-31 studied alongside?

SS-31 is studied within mitochondrial-targeted compound research alongside mitochondria-derived peptides such as MOTS-c and coenzyme chemistry such as NAD+. These groupings reflect shared research fields, not equivalence.

How is SS-31 supplied, tested and handled?

Lazarus Labs supplies SS-31 in 10MG and 50MG lyophilised research vials with third-party batch documentation and a Certificate of Analysis (COA). Store cold, dry and protected from light in accordance with your laboratory protocol.

References

  1. Tung C, et al. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2025. PMID: 39940712.
  2. Zhao K, Zhao GM, Wu D, et al. Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2004. PMID: 15178689.
  3. Russo S, et al. Scientific Reports. 2022. PMID: 36400945.
  4. Shirley M Drugs. 2026. PMID: 41335372.

Primary literature, verified against PubMed. Citations are provided for scientific reference and do not imply a human-use indication.

Important

For research use only. Not for human or veterinary consumption. SS-31 is supplied solely as a laboratory reference material. Lazarus Labs makes no therapeutic, medical or performance claims, and nothing on this page is medical advice.