Overview
5-Amino-1MQ (5-amino-1-methylquinolinium) is a selective small-molecule inhibitor of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), an enzyme that plays a central role in cellular methylation balance, NAD+ precursor availability, and adipose tissue metabolism. Unlike most compounds in the peptide research space, 5-Amino-1MQ is not a peptide — it is a quinolinium-based small molecule with a molecular weight of 174.20 Da. NNMT is overexpressed in white adipose tissue in obese individuals, where it consumes S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) — the body's primary methyl donor — to methylate nicotinamide, effectively draining the methyl pool and reducing NAD+ precursor availability. By selectively inhibiting NNMT, 5-Amino-1MQ preserves SAM and NAD+ precursors, creating a metabolic environment that favors fat oxidation over fat storage. In the pivotal 2018 animal study by Neelakantan et al., systemic treat
Mechanism of Action
5-Amino-1MQ inhibits NNMT (nicotinamide N-methyltransferase), an enzyme that catalyzes the N-methylation of nicotinamide using S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) as the methyl donor, producing 1-methylnicotinamide (MNA) and S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) as products. In metabolically dysregulated adipose tissue, NNMT is overexpressed and consumes large quantities of SAM. This creates two downstream problems: (1) SAM depletion reduces the availability of methyl groups for other critical methylation reactions, including DNA and histone methylation; and (2) nicotinamide — a NAD+ precursor — is diverted away from the NAD+ synthesis pathway into the methylation pathway, reducing cellular NAD+ levels. By
Research Evidence
- Reversed diet-induced obesity in mice within 11 days at 20 mg/kg without reducing food intake (Neelakantan et al., 2018)
- Concentration-dependent NNMT inhibition in fully differentiated adipocytes confirmed in vitro (Neelakantan et al., 2018)
- Combined with low-fat diet: dramatic whole-body adiposity reduction and metabolic normalization (Kannt et al., 2022)
- Preserves NAD+ precursor availability and activates SIRT1-mediated fatty acid oxidation
- High membrane permeability enables intracellular NNMT access without specialized delivery systems
Bottom line: 5-Amino-1MQ has a well-characterized molecular mechanism, strong animal study data, and a compelling differentiated profile versus GLP-1 agonists. No human clinical trials have been completed as of 2026. It remains a research compound with significant scientific interest.
Research Protocols & Dosage
Evidence-based research protocols, administration routes, and dosage considerations for 5-Amino-1MQ are detailed in the full compound profile. See also: Dosage guide for 5-Amino-1MQ.
Sourcing & Quality
5-Amino-1MQ is available from Purgo Labs with third-party COA verification and research-grade purity standards. View 5-Amino-1MQ at Purgo Labs.