5-Amino-1MQ is a research compound studied for its role in weight loss & metabolic research. This page covers mechanism of action, published studies, preclinical protocols, and analytical specifications.
Quick Reference: 5-Amino-1MQ
CAS Number
1360654-00-7
Molecular Formula
C7H9N3
Molecular Weight
135.2 g/mol
Sequence / Structure
N/A — small molecule (not a peptide); 5-amino-1-methylquinolinium cation
Physical Form
Lyophilized powder or crystalline solid
Purity (QSC)
≥99%
Storage
Store at -20°C. Stable at 4°C for short-term use. Soluble in DMSO, methanol, water (limited).
Reconstitution
Dissolve in DMSO for stock solution (10–100 mM). Dilute in aqueous buffer or culture medium to working concentration. For in vivo use, formulate in vehicle per protocol (often 10% DMSO in saline).
Mechanism of Action
5-Amino-1MQ (5-amino-1-methylquinolinium) is a small molecule inhibitor of NNMT (Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase) — an enzyme expressed at high levels in white adipose tissue, liver, and muscle that consumes SAM (S-adenosylmethionine) to methylate nicotinamide, producing 1-methylnicotinamide (1-MNA) and homocysteine.
NNMT and the NAD+/SAM Axis: NNMT activity intersects two critical metabolic pathways. By consuming SAM, NNMT reduces the availability of methyl groups for epigenetic methylation and other cellular methylation reactions. By metabolising nicotinamide (a NAD+ precursor), NNMT reduces NAD+ biosynthesis from the salvage pathway. Both of these effects have been associated with adipocyte dysfunction and obesity-related metabolic phenotypes.
5-Amino-1MQ’s Mechanism: As a potent NNMT inhibitor, 5-Amino-1MQ preserves SAM availability and redirects nicotinamide toward NAD+ synthesis rather than 1-MNA production. The proposed downstream effects in adipose tissue include: increased NAD+ levels activating sirtuin deacetylases (SIRT1, SIRT3); improved mitochondrial function and fat oxidation through SIRT3-driven mitochondrial deacetylation; reduced adipocyte differentiation through epigenetic mechanisms dependent on SAM availability; and potential effects on adipokine secretion patterns.
NNMT Expression in Obesity: NNMT is upregulated in the white adipose tissue of obese individuals, making NNMT inhibition a mechanistically motivated research target for obesity-related metabolic dysfunction. The 5-Amino-1MQ molecule was specifically designed for adipose NNMT inhibition, with documented selectivity for NNMT over related methyltransferases at research-relevant concentrations.
Research Applications
NNMT Biology Research: 5-Amino-1MQ is the primary selective NNMT inhibitor used to characterise NNMT’s role in adipose metabolism, NAD+ homeostasis, and SAM-dependent methylation in cell and animal models.
NAD+ Pathway Intersection Research: The NNMT-NAD+ connection makes 5-Amino-1MQ relevant in longevity and metabolic research alongside direct NAD+ precursors (NMN, NR) — research examining NNMT inhibition as a complementary or alternative strategy to NAD+ supplementation.
Adipocyte Biology: 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation models and primary adipocyte cultures use 5-Amino-1MQ to study NNMT’s role in fat cell formation, lipid accumulation, and metabolic gene expression.
In Vivo Obesity Models: Published research has examined 5-Amino-1MQ in DIO mouse models for effects on body weight, fat mass, glucose tolerance, and adipose tissue NNMT/NAD+ metabolomics.
Epigenetic Research: SAM-dependent histone methylation and DNA methylation in adipose tissue are studied using NNMT inhibition to understand how SAM availability affects epigenetic programming in metabolic disease contexts.
Key Published Research
Primary publications relevant to 5-Amino-1MQ research. Full citations available via PubMed. QSC does not endorse or make claims based on this research.
Kannt et al. (2018)
“A Small Molecule Inhibitor of NNMT that Regulates Global Histone Methylation and Reduces Adipogenesis” — British Journal of Pharmacology
Characterises 5-Amino-1MQ’s selectivity for NNMT, its effects on histone methylation, and reduced adipocyte differentiation in cell models.
Neelakantan et al. (2019)
“Structure-Activity Relationship for NNMT Inhibitors” — Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
Establishes the SAR around the 5-amino-1-methylquinolinium scaffold, confirming 5-Amino-1MQ as a leading NNMT inhibitor in the series.
Documents NNMT’s role in stem cell methylation programming — relevant background for understanding 5-Amino-1MQ’s broader epigenetic effects.
Research Protocol Reference
Model / Context
Dose Range
Route
Protocol Notes
In Vitro Adipocyte Differentiation
10–100 μM
Added in DMSO/medium vehicle to culture
Days 0–8 of 3T3-L1 differentiation; endpoints: Oil Red O staining, PPAR-γ/C/EBP-α expression, lipolysis assay
Rodent DIO Model
50–200 mg/kg/day
Oral gavage or IP injection
4–8 weeks; endpoints: body weight, fat mass (DEXA), glucose tolerance (GTT/ITT), adipose NAD+ metabolomics
NNMT Inhibition Assay
0.001–100 μM
Added to recombinant NNMT enzyme assay
IC50 determination; selectivity panel against related methyltransferases
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 5-Amino-1MQ?
5-Amino-1MQ (5-amino-1-methylquinolinium) is a small molecule NNMT (Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase) inhibitor. By blocking NNMT, it preserves SAM availability for cellular methylation reactions and redirects nicotinamide toward NAD+ synthesis. It is studied in adipose metabolism, obesity, and NAD+ pathway research.
Is 5-Amino-1MQ a peptide?
No — 5-Amino-1MQ is a small molecule (MW 135 g/mol), not a peptide. QSC offers it alongside research peptides as part of a complete metabolic research compound catalog.
How does NNMT inhibition affect NAD+ levels?
NNMT metabolises nicotinamide — a key NAD+ precursor in the salvage pathway — into 1-methylnicotinamide, diverting it away from NAD+ synthesis. By inhibiting NNMT, 5-Amino-1MQ preserves nicotinamide availability for NAD+ production, increasing cellular NAD+ levels. This is complementary to direct NAD+ precursor supplementation (NMN, NR) but operates at the enzymatic regulation level.
How should 5-Amino-1MQ be dissolved?
Dissolve in DMSO for stock solution (10–100 mM). Dilute in aqueous buffer or culture medium to working concentration (typically 10–100 μM for in vitro; 50–200 mg/kg for in vivo). Final DMSO concentration in aqueous assays should be ≤0.1% to avoid DMSO cytotoxicity confounds.
What purity is QSC 5-Amino-1MQ?
≥99% by HPLC. COA on product page, Janoshik-verified.
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