Skip to content
WELCOME10 — 10% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER  ·  FREE SHIPPING OVER $300 CAD  ·  COA ON EVERY ORDER
Research Comparison

5-Amino-1MQ vs SS-31

5-Amino-1MQ and SS-31 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.

Shared research areas:MetabolicCellular Longevity
ClassSmall-molecule NNMT inhibitor (methylquinolinium salt) — not a peptideMitochondria-targeting aromatic-cationic tetrapeptide (cardiolipin-binding)
Molecular weightNot specified639.81 g/mol
CAS numberNot assigned / not specifiedNot assigned / not specified
Purity spec≥99%≥99%
Research areasMetabolic, Cellular LongevityCellular Longevity, Metabolic
Primary diluentBacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol)Bacteriostatic water (0.9% benzyl alcohol)
Working windowCommonly worked with for several weeks at 2-8 °C in preserved diluent.Commonly worked with for 3-4 weeks at 2-8 °C.
Lead degradation routeMicrobial growth in non-preserved diluent — a container problem rather than a molecular one.Adsorptive loss to plasticware from the cationic charge — the main practical concern.
Freeze–thawTolerant of freeze-thaw — there is no tertiary structure to lose. Aliquoting is still good practice to limit repeated exposure of the stock.Tolerant; the unnatural residues resist degradation. Aliquot as standard practice.
Light sensitivityNo specific light requirement beyond normal practice.No specific light requirement beyond normal practice.

How they actually differ

Comparing the two: 5-Amino-1MQ is small-molecule nnmt inhibitor (methylquinolinium salt) — not a peptide, while SS-31 is mitochondria-targeting aromatic-cationic tetrapeptide (cardiolipin-binding) — different molecular classes with different handling consequences; their leading degradation routes differ (microbial growth in non-preserved diluent for 5-Amino-1MQ, adsorptive loss to plasticware from the cationic charge for SS-31), 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.

SS-31 — origin

SS-31 (Elamipretide) is a Szeto-Schiller aromatic-cationic tetrapeptide (D-Arg-2',6'-dimethyltyrosine-Lys-Phe-NH2) that concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane and binds cardiolipin, the lipid unique to that membrane. Its structure is the reason it is studied specifically at the mitochondrion rather than as a general antioxidant.

5-Amino-1MQ research themes

NNMT inhibition

The defining mechanism — preclinical work has examined how blocking NNMT shifts methylation flux and NAD+ salvage in metabolic tissue models.

Adipocyte energy metabolism

Studied in fat-cell models for effects on cellular energy handling and lipid metabolism.

NAD+ economy

Because NNMT consumes a methyl group tied to the NAD+ precursor pool, it is studied alongside the wider NAD+ research field.

SS-31 research themes

Cardiolipin binding

Studied for selective association with cardiolipin in the inner mitochondrial membrane, the basis of its mitochondrial targeting.

Electron transport efficiency

Examined for effects on mitochondrial energy production in research models of mitochondrial dysfunction.

Oxidative stress

Investigated around reactive-oxygen-species handling at the mitochondrion.

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.

SS-31 handling

  • Reach room temperature before opening.
  • Use low-bind labware and buffers at low working concentrations to limit adsorption of the cationic peptide.
  • Aliquot and refrigerate.

Both third-party tested

Every Popular Peptides batch of 5-Amino-1MQ and SS-31 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.

Verify a batchPublished COAsHow we test

5-Amino-1MQ reference

Full 5-Amino-1MQ reference 5-Amino-1MQ storage 5-Amino-1MQ reconstitution 5-Amino-1MQ calculator5-Amino-1MQ product details

SS-31 reference

Full SS-31 reference SS-31 storage SS-31 reconstitution SS-31 calculatorSS-31 product details

Related comparisons

5-Amino-1MQ vs CJC-1295 (No DAC)5-Amino-1MQ vs CJC-1295 + Ipamorelin5-Amino-1MQ vs DSIP5-Amino-1MQ vs Epitalon5-Amino-1MQ vs GLOW5-Amino-1MQ vs IGF-15-Amino-1MQ vs IGF-1 LR35-Amino-1MQ vs Ipamorelin

5-Amino-1MQ and SS-31 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.