Luvaminos

AICAR

A purine nucleoside analogue studied as a pharmacological AMPK-pathway probe in cell biology and preclinical metabolic research models.

Quick answers

What is AICAR?

AICAR is a purine nucleoside analogue (imidazole ribonucleoside) with a molecular weight of 258.23 g/mol and the formula C9H14N4O5.

How much published research cites AICAR?

The Luvaminos AICAR record cites 21 published references, dated 1994 to 2023. Each is listed on this page with a link to its source.

Does Luvaminos test AICAR, and where is the certificate?

Luvaminos does not currently stock AICAR. Every peptide lot Luvaminos sells is tested by Freedom Diagnostics Testing, PLLC, an independent laboratory, and its certificate is published at luvaminos.com/coa under the lot number printed on the vial.

How is AICAR powder stored?

Sealed AICAR powder: Store crystalline powder at −20°C, desiccated and protected from moisture; ship cold. Protect from light and moisture; keep sealed; standard laboratory reagent precautions apply.

Molecular Profile

Type
Purine nucleoside analogue (imidazole ribonucleoside)
Molecular formula
C9H14N4O5
Molecular weight
258.23 g/mol
CAS number
2627-69-2

Mechanism & Target Class

AICAR enters cells through equilibrative nucleoside transporters and is phosphorylated by adenosine kinase to its 5′-monophosphate form, ZMP (AICAR monophosphate; CAS 3031-94-5). ZMP is a structural AMP analogue that occupies nucleotide-binding sites on the regulatory γ-subunit of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), the heterotrimeric αβγ serine/threonine kinase. Binding allosterically activates AMPK and protects the activation-loop residue Thr172 from dephosphorylation. Downstream, active AMPK phosphorylates acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), inhibits mTORC1 signaling, promotes GLUT4-mediated glucose transporter translocation, and activates PGC-1α-driven transcriptional programs involved in mitochondrial biogenesis. Because ZMP also interacts with other AMP-regulated enzymes — including fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase — and some cellular responses to AICAR proceed through AMPK-independent pathways, researchers pair AICAR with dominant-negative AMPK constructs and adenosine-kinase inhibitors as orthogonal controls to establish pathway specificity.

Storage & Handling

Lyophilized
Store crystalline powder at −20°C, desiccated and protected from moisture; ship cold.
Handling
Water-soluble; protect from light and moisture; keep sealed; standard laboratory reagent precautions apply.

Primary Database

PubChem CID 65110 ↗

References (21)

  1. Reviews

    1

    Steinberg GR, Hardie DG. (2023). Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol

    DOI: 10.1038/s41580-022-00547-x

  2. 2

    Steinberg GR, Carling D. (2019). Nat Rev Drug Discov

    DOI: 10.1038/s41573-019-0019-2

  3. 3

    Hardie DG, Ross FA, Hawley SA. (2012). Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol

    DOI: 10.1038/nrm3311

  4. 4

    Hardie DG. (2007). Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol

    DOI: 10.1038/nrm2249

  5. Clinical

    5

    Van Den Neste E, Cazin B, Janssens A, et al. (2013). Cancer Chemother Pharmacol

    DOI: 10.1007/s00280-012-2033-5PubMed 23228986NCT00559624

  6. 6

    Newman MF, Ferguson TB, White JA, et al. (2012). JAMA

    DOI: 10.1001/jama.2012.7633PubMed 22782417NCT00872001

  7. 7

    Mangano DT, Miao Y, Tudor IC, Dietzel C. (2006). J Am Coll Cardiol

    DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2006.04.044PubMed 16814669

  8. 8

    Mangano DT. (1997). JAMA

    DOI: 10.1001/jama.277.4.325PubMed 9002496

  9. 9

    Multicenter Study of Perioperative Ischemia (McSPI) Research Group. (1995). Anesthesiology

    DOI: 10.1097/00000542-199510000-00004PubMed 7574044

  10. 10

    Groupe Francophone des Myélodysplasies (GFM).. ClinicalTrials.gov

    NCT01813838

  11. Primary research

    11

    Xiao B, Sanders MJ, Underwood E, et al. (2011). Nature

    DOI: 10.1038/nature09932PubMed 21399626

  12. 12

    Santidrián AF, González-Gironès DM, Iglesias-Serret D, et al. (2010). Blood

    DOI: 10.1182/blood-2010-05-283960

  13. 13

    Narkar VA, Downes M, Yu RT, et al. (2008). Cell

    DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2008.06.051PubMed 18674809

  14. 14

    Xiao B, Heath R, Saiu P, et al. (2007). Nature

    DOI: 10.1038/nature06161PubMed 17851531

  15. 15

    Marie S, Heron B, Bitoun P, Timmerman T, Van Den Berghe G, Vincent MF. (2004). Am J Hum Genet

    DOI: 10.1086/421475PubMed 15114530

  16. 16

    Campàs C, López JM, Santidrián AF, et al. (2003). Blood

    DOI: 10.1182/blood-2002-07-2339PubMed 12522004

  17. 17

    Mu J, Brozinick JT Jr, Valladares O, Bucan M, Birnbaum MJ. (2001). Mol Cell

    DOI: 10.1016/s1097-2765(01)00251-9

  18. 18

    Kurth-Kraczek EJ, Hirshman MF, Goodyear LJ, Winder WW. (1999). Diabetes

    DOI: 10.2337/diabetes.48.8.1667PubMed 10426389

  19. 19

    Merrill GF, Kurth EJ, Hardie DG, Winder WW. (1997). Am J Physiol

    DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.1997.273.6.E1107PubMed 9435525

  20. 20

    Corton JM, Gillespie JG, Hawley SA, Hardie DG. (1995). Eur J Biochem

    DOI: 10.1111/j.1432-1033.1995.tb20498.xPubMed 7744080

  21. 21

    Sullivan JE, Brocklehurst KJ, Marley AE, Carey F, Carling D, Beri RK. (1994). FEBS Lett

    DOI: 10.1016/0014-5793(94)01006-4PubMed 7926017

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About AICAR

What is AICAR?

AICAR is a purine nucleoside analogue studied as a pharmacological AMPK-pathway probe in cell biology and preclinical metabolic research models.

What are the molecular formula, molecular weight and CAS number of AICAR?

AICAR: molecular formula C9H14N4O5, molecular weight 258.23 g/mol and CAS number 2627-69-2.

How is AICAR powder stored?

Store crystalline powder at −20°C, desiccated and protected from moisture; ship cold.