AICAR (ZMP Precursor) — Research Peptide Bulk Supply
Also known as: 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside, AICA-riboside, ZMP precursor, Academic-50
AICAR is an AMP analogue that activates AMPK, studied for energy metabolism, mitochondrial biogenesis, and endurance physiology research. >99% purity.
AICAR (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside) is a small-molecule AMPK activator and ZMP precursor — strictly a research tool. AICAR appears on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Prohibited List; this catalog entry is framed for laboratory metabolism research only and makes no performance, athletic, or therapeutic claims.
Bulk Catalog Specifications
- Lyophilized powder
- Purity: >99% by HPLC
- Available research vial sizes: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg
- Storage: -20°C, protect from light and moisture
- Solubility: Soluble in water or physiological saline
- COA with HPLC and mass spectrometry data provided per lot
- Cold-chain shipping documentation available
- Private-label and white-label bulk inquiry form available
Scientific Identifiers
| Sequence | N/A — nucleoside analogue, not a peptide |
|---|---|
| Molecular formula | C9H14N4O5 |
| Molecular weight | 338.23 g/mol |
| PubChem CID | 18873 |
Research Mechanism Summary
AICAR (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside) is an AMP analogue that is phosphorylated intracellularly to ZMP, which mimics AMP's allosteric activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)—the master cellular energy sensor. AMPK activation by ZMP triggers cascades including inhibition of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (reducing malonyl-CoA and promoting fatty acid oxidation), translocation of GLUT4 glucose transporters to the plasma membrane, induction of PGC-1α-mediated mitochondrial biogenesis, and formation of an AMPK–PPARδ transcriptional complex that upregulates oxidative metabolism genes. In a landmark study by Narkar et al., 4 weeks of AICAR treatment alone increased running endurance in mice by 44% by reprogramming skeletal muscle fiber gene networks toward oxidative metabolism (https://www.pacificsun.com/aicar-peptide-and-energy-metabolism/). Hepatic studies show AICAR reduces SREBP-1c expression and shifts liver cells away from lipogenesis. Research also explores roles in cardiac ischemia-reperfusion protection through AMPK–p38MAPK–TGF-β cross-talk for fibroblast-driven scar organization.
For Research Use Only. Not for human or veterinary use. Page copy reflects published preclinical and biochemistry literature only and does not constitute dosage, administration, treatment, or therapeutic guidance.
Catalog Context
AICAR (ZMP Precursor) is supplied as a research-grade lyophilized peptide catalog item under the Metabolic Research Peptides family. PeptideDistro.com lists this entry for qualified research and wholesale buyers; pricing, MOQ, and documentation packets are reviewed during account intake. Page copy is framed exclusively around mechanism literature, molecular identifiers, and bulk catalog specifications.
Wholesale & Documentation
PeptideDistro.com supplies AICAR (ZMP Precursor) in research-grade lyophilized format with COA, HPLC, and mass spectrometry data per lot. Pricing, MOQ, and label coordination are reviewed during account intake.