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Metabolic & mitochondrial research

5-Amino-
1MQ.

A research profile of 5-amino-1-methylquinolinium, a small-molecule inhibitor used to investigate nicotinamide N-methyltransferase and metabolic regulation.

Research contextThis page summarises published laboratory findings. It does not establish human benefit, safety, dosing or suitability for personal use, and it does not imply product availability.

Description

What is 5-Amino-1MQ?

5-Amino-1MQ is the abbreviated name for 5-amino-1-methylquinolinium. Despite often appearing in peptide catalogues, it is a small organic molecule rather than a peptide. It was developed as a membrane-permeable inhibitor of NNMT, an enzyme that transfers a methyl group from S-adenosylmethionine to nicotinamide, producing 1-methylnicotinamide.

NNMT connects nicotinamide handling with the cellular methyl-donor pool. Because these processes intersect with NAD metabolism, epigenetic regulation and energy balance, the enzyme has become an experimental target in metabolic research. Published work on 5-Amino-1MQ is primarily preclinical.

Mechanism under study

NNMT inhibition,
carefully examined.

5-Amino-1MQ binds to and inhibits NNMT. In cultured adipocytes, researchers reported reduced formation of the NNMT product 1-methylnicotinamide alongside changes in intracellular NAD+ and S-adenosylmethionine. These biochemical changes were studied in relation to lipid synthesis and energy metabolism.

Target engagement

Inhibits NNMT and reduces its methylated nicotinamide product in experimental systems.

Nicotinamide pathways

Allows researchers to examine how altered NNMT activity intersects with NAD-related cellular chemistry.

Methyl-donor balance

Supports investigation of relationships among NNMT, SAM and methylation-dependent processes.

Metabolic signalling

Used in cell and mouse models to study adipocyte metabolism, glucose handling and liver-associated changes.

Areas studied

Current research
questions.

Adipocyte biology

Cell studies have examined intracellular 1-MNA, NAD-related metabolites and lipid synthesis following NNMT inhibition.

Energy balance

Diet-induced-obesity mouse models have been used to investigate body composition and adipose-tissue responses.

Glucose regulation

Animal studies have reported changes in glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity and circulating metabolic markers.

Liver metabolism

Recent mouse research has examined fatty-liver pathology and the tissue distribution of 5-Amino-1MQ.

Evidence limits

What the evidence
does not show.

The prominent findings for 5-Amino-1MQ come from biochemical assays, cultured cells and mouse models. Results from these systems cannot be assumed to demonstrate the same effects, safety profile or exposure in people.

This page deliberately avoids describing preclinical outcomes as human “benefits.” There is no established clinical dosing information here, and the profile should not be used to guide personal use or healthcare decisions.

Selected reading

Published
sources.

These links are provided so readers can examine the underlying methods, models and limitations directly.

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