5-Amino-1MQ and NNMT Research — Ireland Reference Guide (2026)

By the Peptides Lab Ireland research team · Updated July 2026 · Research use only

5-Amino-1MQ (5-amino-1-methylquinolinium) is a small-molecule research compound targeting nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), an enzyme that has emerged as a key research target in adipose tissue metabolism, NAD+ salvage biology and metabolic homeostasis research. This guide is for Irish research groups working with 5-Amino-1MQ in preclinical protocols.

What is 5-Amino-1MQ?

5-Amino-1MQ is a small-molecule NNMT inhibitor , technically not a peptide but classified alongside them for research supply purposes. It selectively inhibits NNMT enzyme activity, altering the metabolic flux through the NAD+ salvage pathway.

• Class: Small-molecule enzyme inhibitor
• Target: Nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT)
• Molecular formula: C₁₀H₁₁N₂⁺
• Molecular weight: ≈ 175.2 Da (cation)

Why NNMT matters in research

NNMT sits at a critical metabolic branch point. It methylates nicotinamide (a precursor for NAD+ biosynthesis) using S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) as the methyl donor. In doing so, it:

• Diverts nicotinamide AWAY from NAD+ salvage
• Consumes SAM, depleting methylation potential elsewhere in the cell
• Produces 1-methylnicotinamide (1-MNA) as a metabolic waste product

NNMT expression is elevated in adipose tissue in obesity, hepatic tissue in metabolic disease, and some tumour tissues making its inhibition a research target of increasing interest.

Research applications

• Adipocyte metabolism research , with NNMT knockdown/inhibition in adipose tissue models
• NAD+ salvage biology , with pharmacological modulation of NAD+ availability
• Metabolic homeostasis models , with obesity and insulin sensitivity preclinical research
• Sirtuin research NAD+-dependent SIRT1-7 activity via elevated NAD+
• Methylation biology research SAM sparing effects on other methyltransferase reactions
• Cancer metabolic research , with NNMT is elevated in some tumour lines

5-Amino-1MQ in the longevity and metabolic research space

5-Amino-1MQ sits alongside other NAD+-adjacent research references:

• NAD+ — the coenzyme itself, used as a research reference (see our NAD+ product page)
• MOTS-c mitochondrial peptide affecting metabolic homeostasis (see our MOTS-c primer)
• SS-31 — mitochondria-targeted cardiolipin-interacting tetrapeptide
• Epithalon , telomerase-adjacent longevity research reference (see our Epithalon primer)

Reconstitution

5-Amino-1MQ reconstitutes according to compound-specific solubility guidance on the batch COA. As a small molecule (not a peptide), reconstitution technique differs slightly from lyophilised peptides : always consult the COA.

Sourcing 5-Amino-1MQ in Ireland

Peptides Lab Ireland stocks 5-Amino-1MQ with per-batch Certificate of Analysis. See the product page.

Further reading

• MOTS-c Mitochondrial Peptide Research
• Epithalon and Telomere Research
• Fat Loss / Metabolic research peptides category
• Skin, Anti-Ageing and Longevity peptides category

For laboratory research use only. Not intended for human or veterinary use.