5-Amino-1MQ

In simple words

5-Amino-1MQ is not a peptide but a small molecule that keeps cells from losing NAD+, a substance important for energy. It is being studied in animals as an agent against obesity and muscle loss; there are no human data.

What this molecule is

Not a peptide. Small molecule C₁₀H₁₃N₂⁺. Selective inhibitor of NNMT (nicotinamide N-methyltransferase). ~175 Da.

Why it is studied

Blocks NAD+ degradation by the enzyme NNMT → ↑cellular NAD+ in adipose and muscle tissue → ↑β-oxidation + mitochondrial biogenesis + ↓adipogenesis. New direction in 2024: synergy with anti-PD-L1 in immuno-oncology and sarcopenia therapy.

How it works

↓NNMT → ↓nicotinamide methylation → ↑NAD+ → ↑SIRT1/AMPK → ↑PGC1-α → ↑β-oxidation. In adipose tissue: ↓adipocyte size, ↓differentiation. In muscle: ↑strength, ↑mass. In tumors: ↑NAD+ → restoration of the immune microenvironment.

Doses used in studies

There are NO clinical data. In research practice, 50–100 mg/day orally was used. Not validated.

Combined with in studies

• NAD+/NMN — ↑synthesis + ↓degradation of NAD+ — synergy
• L-Carnitine — β-oxidation
• AOD-9604 — a double hit on adipose tissue

Level of evidence

Level C Animal studies. Effects have been shown in animals. Whether they carry over to humans has not been proven. animal and in vitro data only. No clinical data.

Important to know

Honest caveat: NOT a peptide. No human clinical data at all. Pharmacokinetics unknown. Research only.

Studies in PubMed

1. Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase inhibition mitigates obesity-related metabolic dysfunction. (Diabetes Obes Metab, 2024)
2. Reduced calorie diet combined with NNMT inhibition establishes a distinct microbiome in DIO mice. (Sci Rep, 2022)
3. Identification of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase as a promising therapeutic target for sarcopenia. (Aging Cell, 2024)
4. NAD+ metabolism enzyme NNMT in cancer-associated fibroblasts drives tumor progression and resistance to immunotherapy by modulating macrophages in urothelial bladder cancer. (J Immunother Cancer, 2024)
5. Selective and membrane-permeable small molecule inhibitors of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase reverse high fat diet-induced obesity in mice. (Biochem Pharmacol, 2018)
6. Small molecule inhibitor of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase shows anti-proliferative activity in HeLa cells. (J Obstet Gynaecol, 2021)