Description
5-Amino-1MQ (5-Amino-1-Methylquinolinium) is a selective inhibitor of the enzyme nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT). Structurally it is a small-molecule research tool, not a peptide in the classical sense, but it has become established in the peptide community as an interesting compound for metabolic studies.
The research mechanism lies in the nicotinamide methylation pathway. NNMT is an enzyme that is highly expressed in visceral adipose tissue, where it converts nicotinamide (a vitamin B3 form) to 1-methylnicotinamide. This conversion consumes S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and reduces the available NAD+ pool. In preclinical studies, elevated NNMT activity has been associated with adipocyte hypertrophy and reduced energy metabolism.
Through NNMT inhibition with 5-Amino-1MQ, the NAD+ pool in adipocytes is increased in research models and the methyl pool is conserved. Downstream effects: enhanced mitochondrial activity, increased lipolysis and reduced adipocyte size in preclinical mouse models.
5-Amino-1MQ is particularly interesting per study reports for studies on metabolic flexibility and the NAD+ axis. Since the compound is orally bioavailable as a small molecule, the research protocol differs from peptides.
5-Amino-1MQ is available in 25mg vials as 10-vial packs.
This information is for research and educational purposes only. No medical recommendations.
Risks & Safety
5-Amino-1MQ is considered well tolerated per study reports. As a small, orally bioavailable molecule its profile differs from that of injectable peptides. The preclinical data do not describe a pronounced toxicity profile.
Observed in studies and user reports:
- Digestion: as an orally taken compound, mild gastrointestinal discomfort such as unease or nausea is occasionally reported.
- Metabolic shift: through NNMT inhibition the NAD+ and methyl pool is shifted in research models. The long-term consequences of this shift are not conclusively characterized.
- Sleep and drive: changes in energy level or sleep are occasionally described, though the data on this are thin.
- No long-term data: robust human studies essentially do not exist. The entire classification rests on cell and mouse models.
This classification does not replace medical advice. Risk and responsibility for any actual use lie entirely with the buyer.
Studies
- Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase knockdown protects against diet-induced obesity - Nature 2014: Original study on NNMT knockdown effects in mouse models.
- Structure-Activity Relationship for Small Molecule Inhibitors of Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase - Journal of Medicinal Chemistry 2017: Structure-activity analysis of small-molecule NNMT inhibitors: among the scaffolds tested, quinoliniums, the compound class of 5-Amino-1MQ, proved most promising with inhibitory concentrations around 1 µM.
- Selective and membrane-permeable small molecule inhibitors of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase reverse high fat diet-induced obesity in mice - Biochemical Pharmacology 2018: Methylquinolinium inhibitors were membrane-permeable and selective, raised NAD+ and SAM in adipocytes and suppressed lipogenesis. In diet-induced obese mice, body weight and white adipose mass decreased without a change in food intake.
- Small molecule nicotinamide N-methyltransferase inhibitor activates senescent muscle stem cells and improves regenerative capacity of aged skeletal muscle - Biochemical Pharmacology 2019: In 24-month-old mice, an NNMT inhibitor increased muscle stem cell activity after muscle injury, with nearly twofold larger fiber cross-sections and about 70% higher peak torque than in controls.
