NAD+ vs 5-Amino-1MQ
Direct NAD+ supply against inhibition of the enzyme that depletes its precursor — two opposite strategies toward the same pool.
Cellular
NAD+
Essential redox coenzyme and substrate for sirtuins and PARPs — central to metabolic and DNA repair research.
Cellular
5-Amino-1MQ
Small-molecule NNMT inhibitor studied for effects on cellular methylation capacity and NAD+ salvage.
Side by side
| Dimension | NAD+ | 5-Amino-1MQ |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular weight A 4.2× difference in mass — these are not comparable on a milligram-for-milligram basis. | 663.43 g/mol | 159.21 g/mol |
| Size class | short peptide | small molecule / short peptide |
| CAS number | 53-84-9 | 42464-96-0 |
| Research area | longevity | longevity |
| Sequence | Not published as a linear sequence | Not published as a linear sequence |
| Available sizes | 500mg, 1000mg | 10mg |
| Entry price | $59 | $49 |
| Cost per mg Cost per milligram differs by more than 3×. Compare against the concentrations your protocol actually requires, not the headline vial price. | $0.11 | $4.90 |
Mechanism
NAD+
NAD+ is a dinucleotide coenzyme present in all living cells, functioning both as an electron carrier in redox reactions and as a consumed substrate for sirtuins, PARPs, and CD38. It is not a peptide. Research interest in the longevity context follows from the observation that tissue NAD+ concentration declines with age, and from the dependence of sirtuin activity on NAD+ availability.
5-Amino-1MQ
5-Amino-1MQ is a small-molecule quinolinium compound, not a peptide — worth stating plainly, since it is routinely sold alongside peptides. It is a cell-permeable inhibitor of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), the enzyme that methylates nicotinamide and thereby diverts it away from the NAD+ salvage pathway. Research interest follows from NNMT overexpression in adipose tissue and the hypothesis that inhibition preserves both methyl donor pools and NAD+ precursor availability.
Evidence quality
Mechanism is not the same as evidence. Where we have assessed the literature, the verdict is stated plainly.
NAD+
Evidence base: enormous for NAD+ biology, much smaller for exogenous NAD+ administration. Most interventional human data concerns precursors, not NAD+ itself, and membrane permeability is the reason. Read precursor results as precursor results.
Full research reference →5-Amino-1MQ
Evidence base: minimal. Three indexed results for the compound, none of which characterise it directly. The NNMT target is well studied; the inhibitor is not. Treat every claim about this compound as an inference from enzyme biology until direct work exists.
Full research reference →Research applications
NAD+
- Sirtuin activity and deacetylation assays
- PARP-mediated DNA repair studies
- Mitochondrial respiration and redox state measurement
- CD38 and NAD+ consumption pathway research
5-Amino-1MQ
- NNMT enzyme inhibition and selectivity assays
- NAD+ salvage pathway flux studies
- S-adenosylmethionine and methyl donor pool measurement
- Adipocyte metabolic studies
Common questions
What is the difference between NAD+ and 5-Amino-1MQ?
NAD+ is essential redox coenzyme and substrate for sirtuins and PARPs — central to metabolic and DNA repair research. 5-Amino-1MQ is small-molecule NNMT inhibitor studied for effects on cellular methylation capacity and NAD+ salvage. They differ in molecular weight (663.43 vs 159.21 g/mol) and in the pathways they are studied against.
Which is more cost-effective per milligram, NAD+ or 5-Amino-1MQ?
NAD+ is lower at approximately $0.11 per milligram at its best tier, against $4.90 for the other. Cost per milligram is only meaningful relative to the concentrations a given protocol requires, since these compounds are not used at comparable masses.
Can NAD+ and 5-Amino-1MQ be studied together?
Combination designs appear in the published literature for a number of these compounds. Whether it is appropriate for a given protocol depends entirely on the model and endpoint. We supply research compounds and do not provide protocol guidance — consult the primary literature for your specific model.
How should NAD+ and 5-Amino-1MQ be stored?
Store lyophilized at -20°C protected from light and moisture. NAD+ is hygroscopic and degrades in solution faster than most peptides — prepare fresh where the assay permits. For 5-Amino-1MQ: Store at -20°C protected from light and moisture.
Which has the stronger evidence base?
NAD+ — Evidence base: enormous for NAD+ biology, much smaller for exogenous NAD+ administration. Most interventional human data concerns precursors, not NAD+ itself, and membrane permeability is the reason. Read precursor results as precursor results. 5-Amino-1MQ — Evidence base: minimal. Three indexed results for the compound, none of which characterise it directly. The NNMT target is well studied; the inhibitor is not. Treat every claim about this compound as an inference from enzyme biology until direct work exists.
All products sold on this website are intended for research and identification purposes only. These products are not intended for human dosing, injection, or ingestion.
Comparison generated from Lyra Vital catalog data. Every specification is reconciled against the certificate of analysis for the shipped batch.