What Is 5-Amino-1MQ? A Research Overview

5-Amino-1MQ (5-amino-1-methylquinolinium) is a small-molecule inhibitor of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) used as a research compound in preclinical metabolic and NAD+-pathway studies. It is not a peptide — it is a low-molecular-weight synthetic quinolinium compound. 5-Amino-1MQ is sold strictly for research use only (RUO). It is not a drug, not a dietary supplement, and not approved by the FDA for any use in humans. The information below summarizes published in-vitro and animal research.

Quick facts

• Class: small-molecule NNMT (nicotinamide N-methyltransferase) inhibitor; quinolinium scaffold — not a peptide
• Research focus: metabolic research and NAD+-pathway / one-carbon (SAM) biology in laboratory models
• Form: lyophilized powder, ≥99% purity, third-party tested
• Status: research use only; not for human or veterinary use

What is 5-Amino-1MQ?

5-Amino-1MQ is a synthetic small molecule built on a methylquinolinium scaffold, studied as an inhibitor of NNMT — a cytosolic enzyme that transfers a methyl group from S-adenosyl-methionine (SAM) onto nicotinamide, producing 1-methylnicotinamide and S-adenosyl-homocysteine. Because nicotinamide sits upstream of NAD+ and SAM is the cell’s main methyl donor, NNMT activity is of interest to researchers studying energy metabolism, adipose (fat) tissue biology, and one-carbon metabolism.

What does the research show?

Interest in NNMT as a metabolic research target grew after Kraus and colleagues reported in Nature (2014) that knocking down NNMT in fat tissue protected mice against diet-induced obesity, an effect they linked to altered SAM and NAD+ in adipose tissue [1]. Neelakantan and colleagues then described small-molecule, membrane-permeable NNMT inhibitors of the methylquinolinium class — including 5-amino-1MQ — reporting that pharmacological NNMT inhibition was associated with reduced body weight and white-adipose mass in diet-induced obese mice [2]. Later work examined NNMT inhibition combined with a reduced-calorie diet and described changes in the gut microbiome of obese mice [3]. All of these findings come from in-vitro systems and rodent models and do not establish any effect in humans.

Mechanisms studied in the lab

• NNMT inhibition: in biochemical and cell-based assays, methylquinolinium compounds including 5-amino-1MQ have been characterized as inhibitors of NNMT enzyme activity [2].
• Effects on NAD+ and SAM: in cell models, NNMT inhibition has been associated with reduced 1-methylnicotinamide and increased intracellular NAD+ and SAM [1][2].
• Adipocyte metabolism: in adipocyte and animal models, researchers reported reduced lipogenesis and changes in fat-tissue mass associated with NNMT inhibition [1][2].

Research status and safety

5-Amino-1MQ is a research compound intended for research use only. It has not been approved by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The published evidence is limited to in-vitro and animal studies; there is no established human safety, efficacy, or dosing data.

Handling

5-Amino-1MQ is supplied as a lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder, typically stored cold and protected from light. For general laboratory procedures, see our reconstitution guide and browse the full research catalog. Product details: 5-Amino-1MQ — research-grade, ≥99% pure.

FAQ

Is 5-Amino-1MQ a peptide? No. Despite often being grouped with research peptides by suppliers, 5-amino-1MQ is a small-molecule quinolinium compound, not a peptide. It contains no amino-acid chain.

What is NNMT and why do researchers study it? NNMT is an enzyme that methylates nicotinamide using SAM. Because this reaction touches both the NAD+ precursor pool and cellular methyl-donor supply, NNMT is studied as a node in metabolic and one-carbon biology [1][2].

Can I use 5-Amino-1MQ for weight loss or anti-aging? No. It is a research-use-only compound, not approved for human use and not a supplement or therapeutic. The metabolic observations in the literature are from cell and animal research only.

References

1. Kraus D, et al. Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase knockdown protects against diet-induced obesity. Nature. 2014.
2. Neelakantan H, et al. Small-molecule NNMT inhibitors reverse high-fat-diet-induced obesity in mice. Biochem Pharmacol. 2018.
3. Dimet-Wiley A, et al. Reduced-calorie diet with NNMT inhibition and the microbiome in DIO mice. Sci Rep. 2022.

For research use only. Not for human or veterinary use. Statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.