What is 5-Amino-1MQ?
5-Amino-1MQ (5-amino-1-methylquinolinium) is a small synthetic molecule that acts as a selective inhibitor of the enzyme NNMT (Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase). Unlike most research peptides, 5-Amino-1MQ is not a peptide but a low-molecular-weight quinolinium compound.
Its mechanism of action does not operate directly on hormone receptors or growth pathways, but on nicotinamide metabolism at the intracellular level — a regulatory node with broad implications for energy metabolism, body composition, and cellular aging.
Important: 5-Amino-1MQ is exclusively a research compound with studies available only in animal models as of 2025. No human clinical data exists. This page is strictly for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice or a recommendation for use.
Mechanism of Action
Understanding 5-Amino-1MQ requires first understanding NNMT’s role in cellular metabolism.
What does NNMT normally do?
NNMT catalyzes the transfer of a methyl group from SAM (S-adenosylmethionine) to nicotinamide (a NAD+ precursor), producing 1-methylnicotinamide and homocysteine as byproducts. This reaction consumes two critical resources:
- Nicotinamide → which would otherwise become NAD+ (an essential energy cofactor).
- SAM → the universal methyl group donor used in hundreds of epigenetic reactions.
In obesity and metabolically dysfunctional adipose tissue, NNMT is overexpressed, depleting intracellular stores of nicotinamide and SAM.
What does 5-Amino-1MQ do?
By selectively inhibiting NNMT:
- Preserves nicotinamide → available for NAD+ synthesis (via NAMPT).
- Elevated intracellular NAD+ → activates SIRT1 (sirtuin 1), a NAD+-dependent deacetylase that regulates metabolic gene expression.
- Activated SIRT1 →
- Promotes mitochondrial biogenesis (via PGC-1α).
- Activates fatty acid oxidation in adipocytes and muscle.
- Modulates adipocyte differentiation (anti-adipogenic effect in preclinical studies).
- SAM preservation → maintenance of epigenetic methylation capacity.
This mechanism explains why 5-Amino-1MQ’s effects on body composition in animal models differ from those of conventional stimulants or fat burners: it acts on upstream metabolic regulation, not on adrenergic receptors.
Reported Research Protocol
The following parameters are based on animal model data (primarily studies in high-fat-diet mice). No validated protocol exists for human use.
| Phase | Reported Dose | Frequency | Route |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1-2 (tolerance) | 2.5 mg/day | 1x/day SC | SC |
| Day 3 onward | 5 mg/day | 1x/day or BID (2.5 mg) | SC |
| BID (preferred for half-life) | 2.5 mg × 2/day | Every ~12 h | SC |
Vial reconstitution (10 mg):
- Add 2.0 mL of bacteriostatic water → concentration 5 mg/mL.
- At this concentration: 1 unit (U-100) = 50 mcg (0.05 mg).
- For 2.5 mg → 50 units (0.50 mL).
- For 5 mg → 100 units (1.0 mL) = full vial.
Critical note on the vial: A 10 mg vial reconstituted at 5 mg/mL represents only 2 days of material at 5 mg/day or 4 days at 2.5 mg/day. This is the shortest-duration vial in the catalog on a relative basis. Planning supply in advance is essential to avoid interrupting cycles.
Effects Reported in Animal Models
Available preclinical studies documented the following effects in diet-induced obesity mouse models:
- Reduction in fat mass: Significant decrease in adipose tissue, especially visceral, without caloric restriction in the studied models.
- Preservation of muscle mass: Unlike purely caloric interventions, treated models maintained lean mass.
- Elevated intracellular NAD+: Directly measured in adipose and liver tissue following NNMT inhibition.
- SIRT1 activation: Confirmed by downstream epigenetic markers (acetylation patterns).
- Improvement in metabolic markers: Reduction in triglycerides, improved insulin sensitivity in induced type-2 diabetes models.
- Favorable tolerability in animals: No relevant organ toxicity observed at study doses.
Described Adverse Effects
Safety data is practically nonexistent in humans:
- Animal profile: Well tolerated at reported study doses. No signals of hepatic, renal, or cardiac toxicity in murine models.
- Effects in humans: Unknown. No published clinical trials.
- Interactions: Not documented. Given NNMT’s role in methylation metabolism, there is theoretical uncertainty regarding interactions with compounds dependent on the methyl cycle (methionine, choline, vitamin B12).
- Safe duration of use: Completely unknown in humans.
Storage
| State | Temperature | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lyophilized (unreconstituted) | -20°C | Up to 24 months |
| Reconstituted | 2-8°C (refrigeration) | 2-4 weeks |
5-Amino-1MQ has better stability than protein peptides as a small non-protein molecule. However, exposure to UV light and heat should be avoided. Given the small vial capacity, reconstitution should be planned to consume the contents within the indicated stability period.
Legal disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only. Not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional.
Reported protocol (research reference)
| Vial sizes | 10 mg |
|---|---|
| Reported dose | Based on preclinical data: 2.5-5 mg/day SC. A 10 mg vial represents 2-4 days of material. Plan supply in advance. |
| Half-life | 3.8-6.9 hours. BID dosing preferred for continuous NNMT inhibition throughout the day. |
| FDA status | Not FDA approved |