5-Amino-1MQ

Technical data

CAS

685079-15-6

Molecular formula

C10H11N2+

Molecular weight

159.21 g/mol

Identity and composition

5-Amino-1MQ (5-amino-1-methylquinolinium) is a small quaternary quinolinium-type molecule, that is, an organic compound with a permanently charged aromatic nitrogen, not a peptide or an amino acid. It is marketed as a research reagent (RUO) for the study of the metabolism of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and of the enzyme nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), on which it acts as a selective inhibitor. Unlike the peptides that EXOMA offers for experimental models, 5-Amino-1MQ is a low-molecular-weight, membrane-permeable entity, which allows it to cross the lipid bilayer and reach intracellular compartments without requiring specialized transporters or classical injectable administration. This characteristic makes it a valuable tool for in vitro assays and preclinical models where the aim is to modulate enzymatic activity within the cell. For those seeking to buy 5-Amino-1MQ in Mexico for research purposes, it is key to understand this chemical identity: it is presented as a 50 mg crystalline powder, stable and manipulable in the laboratory. Its classification as an NNMT inhibitor distinguishes it from NAD+ precursors and defines its experimental role in contemporary metabolic research.

Mechanism of action

The mechanism of 5-Amino-1MQ centers on the selective inhibition of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), the enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group from S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM) to nicotinamide, generating 1-methylnicotinamide (1-MNA) and S-adenosyl-homocysteine. Under conditions of NNMT overexpression, this reaction consumes nicotinamide (a precursor of NAD+) and depletes SAM reserves, altering cellular metabolic balance. By blocking the active site of the enzyme in a membrane-permeable manner, 5-Amino-1MQ reduces the production of 1-MNA and preserves available nicotinamide, which in experimental models is associated with restoration of intracellular levels of NAD+ and SAM. The relative increase in NAD+ favors the activation of the energy sensor AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase), which in turn stimulates beta-oxidation of fatty acids in the adipocyte and represses lipogenic pathways. This NNMT-NAD+/SAM-AMPK axis constitutes the mechanistic framework that researchers use to study adipogenesis, lipolysis and energy homeostasis. As an NNMT inhibitor, 5-Amino-1MQ offers an approach complementary to that of NAD+ precursors, acting upstream on the enzyme that drains the nicotinamide pool.

Pharmacokinetics

In pharmacokinetic terms, and always within the framework of preclinical research (RUO), 5-Amino-1MQ behaves very differently from classical injectable peptides. Being a small quinolinium-type molecule with membrane permeability, in preclinical models it has been described as orally active, capable of crossing cellular barriers and distributing to metabolically active tissues such as adipose tissue, without depending on obligatory parenteral routes. This permeability contrasts with peptides, which because of their size and charge usually require injectable administration and present poor oral bioavailability. Its low molecular weight facilitates the intracellular penetration needed to reach cytosolic NNMT, the target of its inhibitory action. The precise parameters of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion in humans are not characterized and fall outside the scope of this research reagent; the available data come from in vitro systems and animal models. For the researcher evaluating 5-Amino-1MQ, this pharmacokinetic difference is central when designing protocols: membrane permeability allows assays in cell culture without transfection agents and oral dosing models in rodents, which broadens the experimental possibilities compared with peptidic tools of the same metabolic axis.

Scientific evidence

The available evidence on 5-Amino-1MQ comes exclusively from in vitro studies and preclinical models, framed as research (RUO), not from approved clinical trials. In adipocyte cultures, the inhibition of NNMT with this compound has been associated with an increase in intracellular NAD+, activation of AMPK, and an increase in the beta-oxidation of lipids, reducing the size of lipid droplets in cellular models. In rodents with diet-induced obesity, the administration of the inhibitor has been studied in relation to body composition and metabolic parameters, with changes observed in these models in energy expenditure and in the weight of adipose tissue. In the experimental oncology field, cell lines that overexpress NNMT have served to explore tumor dependence on this enzyme and the effect of its inhibition on proliferation and metabolism. It is important to emphasize that these findings are preclinical: they describe phenomena observed in controlled laboratory systems and do not constitute evidence of efficacy or safety in humans. Researchers who consult 5-Amino-1MQ price and availability in Mexico must interpret this evidence base as an emerging body of mechanistic literature, useful for designing hypotheses and not as support for therapeutic applications.

Research applications

The research applications of 5-Amino-1MQ are grouped around its status as an NNMT inhibitor and its impact on the NAD+/SAM axis. In studies of NAD+ metabolism, it serves as a tool to raise the intracellular pool of this cofactor by blocking its enzymatic consumption, allowing the dissection of NAD+-dependent routes such as sirtuin signaling or mitochondrial energy production. In research on adipogenesis and lipolysis, it is used to study how the modulation of NNMT affects the differentiation of preadipocytes, lipid storage, and fat mobilization through AMPK and beta-oxidation. In models of body composition and insulin sensitivity, researchers explore the effects of chronic NNMT inhibition on energy balance in rodents. In experimental oncology, NNMT-dependent cell lines offer a context for evaluating the relationship between this enzyme, methyl metabolism, and tumor proliferation. All of these applications are framed strictly for research (RUO). For laboratories and academic groups in Mexico interested in buying 5-Amino-1MQ, the molecule represents a versatile chemical probe for interrogating the biology of NAD+ and NNMT, complementing other metabolic tools in the EXOMA catalog.

Research protocols

Experimental protocols with 5-Amino-1MQ must be designed in accordance with the nature of the assay and always under a research framework (RUO), with nothing described here constituting a guideline for use in humans. In cell culture assays, researchers typically prepare concentrated stock solutions of the compound and apply them to the medium in the micromolar concentration range, taking advantage of its membrane permeability to expose cells directly without transfection agents; it is recommended to establish dose-response curves and appropriate vehicle controls. In preclinical animal models, given its character as an orally active small molecule, designs have contemplated dosing by the oral or intraperitoneal route according to the protocol approved by the institutional ethics committee, with daily administration schemes and treatment windows spanning several weeks to observe effects on body composition. The 50 mg presentation of crystalline powder allows precise calculation of the aliquots needed for each experiment. It is essential to include negative controls, biological replicates, and validation of NNMT inhibition through measurement of 1-MNA or of intracellular NAD+. The researcher is responsible for calibrating concentrations and frequencies according to their experimental system, the reference literature, and the biosafety standards of their laboratory.

Reconstitution

The reconstitution of 5-Amino-1MQ differs from that of a lyophilized peptide, since it is not a peptidic product but a crystalline small molecule of the quinolinium type. The 50 mg powder can be dissolved in water or in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) according to the requirements of the assay: for experiments in aqueous media where organic solvents are to be avoided, laboratory-grade water is usually adequate given the cationic and water-soluble nature of the compound; to prepare more concentrated stock solutions or when the protocol requires it, DMSO offers greater solubilization capacity. It is recommended to calculate the desired concentration from the total 50 mg, add the solvent volume gradually, and mix by vortex or gentle agitation until obtaining a clear solution, avoiding excessive heating. When using DMSO it is advisable to keep the final percentage of the solvent in the cell medium below cytotoxic thresholds and to always compare against an equivalent vehicle control. Solutions must be filtered when the assay requires sterility and fractionated into aliquots to minimize freeze-thaw cycles. All handling is carried out under a research framework (RUO), with personal protective equipment and in accordance with good laboratory practices.

Stability and storage

The stability of 5-Amino-1MQ depends on its physical form and on the storage conditions, and its correct handling preserves the integrity of the research reagent (RUO). As a crystalline solid, the 50 mg powder is optimally preserved at -20 °C, protected from moisture and light, a condition under which the quinolinium-type molecule maintains its stability for prolonged periods. Once reconstituted in water or DMSO, the solution must be stored under refrigeration at 2-8 °C and protected from light exposure, since nitrogenous aromatic compounds can be sensitive to photochemical degradation; for longer conservation it is recommended to aliquot and freeze, thus reducing the repeated freeze-thaw cycles that compromise the effective concentration. It is advisable to label each aliquot with the date of preparation, concentration, and solvent used, and to verify the absence of precipitates or color changes before each use. Returning the vial to the freezer as soon as the necessary aliquots are taken minimizes exposure to room temperature. These stability practices are standard in the handling of small molecules for research and guarantee reproducible results throughout the various experimental phases of the laboratory.

Safety profile

The handling profile of 5-Amino-1MQ must be understood in the context of a reagent intended exclusively for research (RUO), which is why there are no established clinical safety profiles in humans and all data come from experimental systems. As a small quinolinium-type molecule, it is handled following general good laboratory practices: use of a lab coat, gloves, and eye protection, work in ventilated areas, and, when DMSO is used as a solvent, additional caution given that this vehicle increases cutaneous permeability and can facilitate the absorption of dissolved substances. It is recommended to avoid inhalation of the powder during weighing, handling it in a fume hood when possible, and to prevent contact with skin and mucous membranes. Waste and solutions must be disposed of in accordance with the institution's chemical waste management regulations. As for its experimental pharmacology, the inhibition of NNMT and the consequent alteration of the NAD+/SAM axis are effects studied in a controlled manner in models, without this implying inferences about effects in human organisms. Responsibility for safe use rests with the researcher and their biosafety committee. EXOMA supplies 5-Amino-1MQ in Mexico solely for these legitimate research purposes.

Comparative context

In the context of metabolic research tools, 5-Amino-1MQ occupies a mechanistically distinct place from NAD+ precursors such as nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) or nicotinamide riboside (NR). Whereas NMN and NR provide substrates that cells convert into NAD+ via salvage pathways, 5-Amino-1MQ acts in the opposite direction: instead of adding building material, it inhibits NNMT, the enzyme that consumes nicotinamide and indirectly drains the NAD+ pool. This difference makes it a complementary approach, aimed at preserving the cofactor by blocking its metabolic diversion toward 1-MNA, rather than replenishing it from the outside. Compared with metabolic peptides such as MOTS-c, which acts as a mitochondrial-derived peptide modulating AMPK and energy homeostasis, 5-Amino-1MQ shares convergence on the AMPK axis but differs radically in chemical nature: it is a small, membrane-permeable molecule and not a peptide. For the researcher comparing options before buying 5-Amino-1MQ in Mexico, this conceptual placement is key: it is an NNMT inhibitor that interrogates NAD+ metabolism from the enzymatic angle, offering a perspective that simple precursors do not capture.

History and development

Interest in 5-Amino-1MQ arose from the recognition of the role of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) as an enzyme overexpressed in adipose tissue of obesity models and in various tumors, where its activity is linked to alterations in methyl metabolism and in NAD+. As NNMT was consolidated as a potential therapeutic target in the preclinical literature, medicinal research sought selective, membrane-permeable inhibitors of simple structure that would allow modulation of its activity within the cell. In that framework, quinolinium derivatives such as 5-Amino-1MQ (5-amino-1-methylquinolinium) emerged as small-molecule inhibitors capable of blocking the methylation of nicotinamide without the bioavailability limitations of larger agents. The studies that followed documented its effects on NAD+, AMPK, and beta-oxidation in experimental systems, positioning it as one of the reference chemical probes for interrogating the biology of NNMT. Today 5-Amino-1MQ is part of the arsenal of research reagents (RUO) that academic and industrial laboratories use to explore energy metabolism. EXOMA offers it in Mexico as a 50 mg crystalline powder, facilitating the scientific community's access to this study tool.

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Certificate of analysis per batch

5-Amino-1MQ batches with certificate of analysis published in the COA catalog:

• Lot EXO010626001A — 50 mg, issued 2026-05-23
• Lot EXO010626001B — 10 mg, issued 2026-05-25
• Lot EXO010626001D — 5 mg, issued 2026-05-24

Scientific references (7)

Peer-reviewed literature on 5-Amino-1MQ, with its PubMed identifier where available:

• NNMT inhibition reduces fat mass and improves insulin sensitivity (Kannt A, et al. · Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism · 2024) — Study on NNMT inhibition for the treatment of obesity. PMID 39161060.
• Selective NNMT inhibitors reverse diet-induced obesity in mice (Neelakantan H, Vance V, Wetzel MD, et al. · Biochemical Pharmacology · 2018) — Characterization of 5-Amino-1MQ as a selective, membrane-permeable inhibitor of NNMT in DIO murine models. PMID 29155147.
• NNMT knockdown protects against diet-induced obesity (Kraus D, Yang Q, Kong D, et al. · Nature · 2014) — Genetic validation of the NNMT axis in adipocytes by ASO knockdown, establishing NNMT as a pharmacological target for obesity. PMID 24717514.
• Reduced calorie diet combined with NNMT inhibition establishes a distinct microbiome in DIO mice (Dimet-Wiley, et al. · Scientific Reports · 2022) PMID 35013352.
• Small molecule nicotinamide N-methyltransferase inhibitor activates senescent muscle stem cells and improves regenerative capacity of aged skeletal muscle. (Neelakantan H, et al. · Biochem Pharmacol · 2019) PMID 30753815.
• Nicotinamide n-methyltransferase inhibitor synergizes with sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor to protect renal tubular epithelium in experimental models of type 2 diabetes mellitus. (Yang Y, et al. · J Diabetes Complications · 2025) PMID 39848127.
• Combined nicotinamide N-methyltransferase inhibition and reduced-calorie diet normalizes body composition and enhances metabolic benefits in obese mice. (Sampson CM, et al. · Sci Rep · 2021) PMID 33707534.

Otras presentaciones de 5-Amino-1MQ

• 5-Amino-1MQ Oral

Guides and articles about 5-Amino-1MQ

Lecturas del blog de EXOMA que la editorial asoció a este compuesto:

• AOD-9604: HGH Fragment for Metabolic Research

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