5-Amino-1MQ vs AOD-9604
5-Amino-1MQ and AOD-9604 are studied in overlapping research areas, which is why they are frequently compared. This is a neutral side-by-side reference drawn from published preclinical literature and laboratory handling data.
How they actually differ
Comparing the two: 5-Amino-1MQ is small-molecule nnmt inhibitor (methylquinolinium salt) — not a peptide, while AOD-9604 is 16-residue hgh c-terminal fragment analogue with one intramolecular disulfide — different molecular classes with different handling consequences; their leading degradation routes differ (microbial growth in non-preserved diluent for 5-Amino-1MQ, disulfide exchange (scrambling) and formation of disulfide-linked dimers, accelerated above about ph 8. for AOD-9604), so the storage precautions that matter are not the same; their practical working windows differ once reconstituted. The sections below set out each in full.
5-Amino-1MQ — origin
5-Amino-1MQ is a small quinolinium molecule characterised as a first-in-class inhibitor of NNMT (nicotinamide N-methyltransferase), an enzyme studied at the intersection of adipocyte metabolism and the cellular NAD+/methylation pool. It is not an amino-acid chain, which is why it sits apart from every peptide in this catalogue.
AOD-9604 — origin
AOD-9604 is residues 177-191 of human growth hormone with an extra tyrosine added at the N-terminus (Tyr-Leu-Arg-Ile-Val-Gln-Cys-Arg-Ser-Val-Glu-Gly-Ser-Cys-Gly-Phe), closed by a disulfide between the two cysteines. It came out of Frank Ng's group at Monash University in Australia and was developed by Metabolic Pharmaceuticals in Melbourne as an obesity candidate. That programme was discontinued in 2007 after a 24-week phase 2b trial did not show a clinically meaningful outcome, and the compound never reached approval as a medicine.
5-Amino-1MQ research themes
The defining mechanism — preclinical work has examined how blocking NNMT shifts methylation flux and NAD+ salvage in metabolic tissue models.
Studied in fat-cell models for effects on cellular energy handling and lipid metabolism.
Because NNMT consumes a methyl group tied to the NAD+ precursor pool, it is studied alongside the wider NAD+ research field.
AOD-9604 research themes
Heffernan et al. (Endocrinology 2001) compared hGH and AOD9604 over 14 days in obese mice and in β3-adrenergic-receptor knockout mice. Both raised the repressed β3-AR expression in obese mice, but neither changed body weight or lipolysis in the knockout mice over the long-term protocol, leading the authors to conclude the lipolytic actions were not mediated directly through β3-AR.
Ng et al. (Horm Res 2000) studied oral administration of AOD9604 in obese Zucker rats, reporting reduced body-weight gain and increased adipose lipolytic activity, and — unlike intact hGH — no impairment of insulin sensitivity on euglycaemic clamp.
Stier et al. (J Endocrinol Metab 2013) pooled six randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials and reported no change in serum IGF-1, no adverse effect on carbohydrate metabolism, and no anti-AOD9604 antibodies in tested participants. The same development programme did not show a clinically meaningful weight outcome.
Kwon and Park (Ann Clin Lab Sci 2015) gave intra-articular AOD9604, with or without hyaluronic acid, in a collagenase-induced knee osteoarthritis model in rabbits and scored cartilage morphology, histology and lameness.
5-Amino-1MQ handling
- Let the sealed vial reach room temperature before opening so moisture does not condense onto the powder.
- For cell-based assays, prepare a concentrated DMSO stock and dilute into aqueous buffer rather than dissolving directly at high concentration in medium.
- Label aliquots with reconstitution date and diluent.
AOD-9604 handling
- Let the vial reach room temperature before opening.
- Add diluent gently down the vial wall and swirl; do not vortex.
- Keep reducing agents (DTT, TCEP, β-mercaptoethanol) and alkaline buffers away from the stock.
- Label aliquots with reconstitution date and diluent.
Both third-party tested
Every Popular Peptides batch of 5-Amino-1MQ and AOD-9604 is independently tested by HPLC and LC-MS with a published Certificate of Analysis. Enter a lot number to pull the COA for a specific vial.
5-Amino-1MQ reference
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5-Amino-1MQ and AOD-9604 are supplied strictly as research chemicals for in-vitro laboratory and research use only. They are not intended for human or animal consumption, diagnostic, or therapeutic use. This comparison summarizes published preclinical literature and laboratory handling data; it is not medical advice, not a claim of efficacy, and not usage guidance.