5-Amino-1MQ: Research Overview

5-Amino-1-methylquinolinium (5-amino-1MQ) is a small-molecule inhibitor of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) — an enzyme involved in NAD+ precursor metabolism and energy homeostasis. It is not a peptide. Despite being listed on many research-compound vendor sites alongside peptides, 5-amino-1MQ is a synthetic quinolinium-class small molecule with a molecular weight of approximately 175 Da. All published research as of 2026 is preclinical (cell culture and rodent studies); no peer-reviewed human clinical trial results have been published.

What Is 5-Amino-1MQ?

5-Amino-1MQ belongs to the 1-methylquinolinium chemical scaffold and carries a primary amine group at the 5-position. It was identified as a selective, membrane-permeable NNMT inhibitor in the Neelakantan et al. 2018 study (PMID 29787974). Unlike most NNMT inhibitors discovered prior, 5-amino-1MQ demonstrated both high passive membrane diffusion and high active transport membrane permeability in vitro, enabling intracellular access. It is selective: it does not substantially inhibit related SAM-dependent methyltransferases or enzymes in the NAD+ salvage pathway at studied concentrations. This selectivity profile made it a tool compound for studying NNMT’s metabolic roles in vivo.

Mechanism

NNMT catalyzes the methylation of nicotinamide (a NAD+ precursor) using S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) as a methyl donor, producing 1-methylnicotinamide (MNAM). This reaction diverts nicotinamide away from NAD+ synthesis and depletes the SAM methyl pool, which is needed for numerous methylation reactions including epigenetic modifications. NNMT is overexpressed in adipose tissue in obesity. By inhibiting NNMT, 5-amino-1MQ is hypothesized to: (1) restore nicotinamide flux toward NAD+ synthesis, increasing intracellular NAD+ levels; (2) preserve the SAM methyl pool; and (3) suppress lipogenesis in adipocytes. In adipocyte cell culture experiments, treatment reduced intracellular MNAM, increased NAD+, and suppressed fat accumulation (PMID 29787974).

What the Research Shows

The landmark preclinical study by Neelakantan et al. (2018, PMID 29787974) tested 5-amino-1MQ in mice fed a high-fat diet for 16 weeks. Subcutaneous injection of 5-amino-1MQ (approximately 34 mg/kg/day for 11 days) significantly reduced body weight, white adipose mass, and adipocyte size compared to vehicle controls. Importantly, food intake was not significantly changed, suggesting a direct metabolic effect rather than appetite suppression. No observable adverse effects were reported at these doses.

A 2018 study by Kannt et al. (PMID 29483571) described a structurally distinct NNMT inhibitor (JBSNF-000088) that improved insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity, providing independent validation that NNMT inhibition as a target class has metabolic effects. These findings collectively support NNMT as a viable preclinical target but do not establish clinical efficacy or safety for 5-amino-1MQ specifically in humans. A Phase 1 exploratory study was reported to be in development as of 2024, but no published results were available in peer-reviewed literature as of 2026.

Reported Dose Ranges

Not medical advice. These are ranges reported in research literature, not personalized recommendations. Consult your physician.

Published dose-finding studies are limited; values reported here come from preclinical rodent research and have not been validated in human clinical trials. The Neelakantan 2018 study used approximately 34 mg/kg/day subcutaneously in mice. Human-equivalent dose extrapolation from rodent data is methodologically complex and not directly applicable. Oral capsule formulations (typically 50–100 mg per capsule) are sold by research vendors, but no published PK/PD data for oral dosing in humans exists as of 2026.

References

1. Neelakantan H et al. Selective and membrane-permeable small molecule inhibitors of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase reverse high fat diet-induced obesity in mice. Biochem Pharmacol. 2018;147:141-152. PMID 29787974. PMC5826726.

2. Kannt A et al. A small molecule inhibitor of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase for the treatment of metabolic disorders. Sci Rep. 2018;8(1):3260. PMID 29483571.

3. Gao Y et al. Roles of Nicotinamide N-Methyltransferase in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes. Biomolecules. 2021;11(8):1173. PMC8337113.