Compound Overview
What Is AICAR?
AICAR — formally 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide — is a nucleoside analog also referred to as acadesine. It is not a peptide. Rather, AICAR is a naturally occurring purine nucleotide synthesis intermediate that has been used extensively as a reference compound in intracellular signaling research.
In cell models, AICAR is taken up and phosphorylated intracellularly to form ZMP (AICAR-monophosphate). ZMP structurally mimics AMP and has been studied as a means of modulating the AMP:ATP ratio signal recognized by AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) — a central node in cellular energy sensing research.
This mechanism makes AICAR (acadesine) one of the most commonly cited tool compounds in published AMPK pathway research conducted in cell culture and preclinical animal models. Its role in purine synthesis pathway research and mitochondrial biogenesis research in preclinical settings has been documented extensively in the literature.
Research Classification Note: AICAR is a nucleoside analog, not a peptide compound. Its molecular structure — a modified purine ribonucleoside — is chemically distinct from amino acid–based peptide research compounds. This distinction is important for laboratory research classification, assay design, and catalog categorization.
Compound Reference Data
| Common Name | AICAR / Acadesine |
| Full Name | 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide |
| Also Known As | AICA Ribonucleoside; Acadesine; ZMP precursor |
| Compound Class | Nucleoside analog / Purine synthesis intermediate |
| Molecular Formula | C9H14N4O7 (nucleoside / acadesine form) |
| Mol. Formula (5'-MP) | C9H14N4O8P (monophosphate form) |
| Molecular Weight | ~338 Da (acadesine, nucleoside form) |
| CAS Number | 2627-69-2 |
| Intracellular Conversion | → ZMP (AICAR-5'-monophosphate) |
| Research Target | AMPK pathway, AMP:ATP sensing |
| SL Vial Size | 50mg |
| Use Classification | For research use only. Not for human use. |
Research Background
Published Research Areas
Published research has examined AICAR (acadesine) across several interconnected cellular and molecular biology domains. The following areas represent the primary research contexts documented in peer-reviewed literature. All research contexts described reflect in vitro and preclinical animal model findings only.
01
AMPK Pathway Activation Research in Cell Models
Published research has examined AICAR's intracellular conversion to ZMP as a mechanism for engaging AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in cell culture models. AICAR is widely used as a positive-control reference compound in AMPK pathway activation assays and signaling cascade studies in vitro.
02
Cellular Energy Sensing and AMP:ATP Ratio Research
The conversion of AICAR to ZMP creates an intracellular signal that published research has studied in the context of AMP:ATP ratio sensing. This makes AICAR a useful tool compound for investigating how cells detect and respond to energetic stress states in controlled research models.
03
Mitochondrial Biogenesis Research in Preclinical Models
Downstream of AMPK pathway activation, published research has examined AICAR in preclinical animal model contexts involving pathways associated with mitochondrial biogenesis markers, including PGC-1α expression in skeletal muscle tissue samples.
04
Purine Nucleotide Synthesis Pathway Research
As a naturally occurring intermediate in the de novo purine synthesis pathway, AICAR (acadesine) has been studied in the context of purine biosynthesis regulation, folate cycle interactions, and nucleotide pool dynamics in cell biology research.
05
Metabolic Flux Research in Animal Models
Published research has examined AICAR's effects on metabolic pathway flux in preclinical rodent models, including studies on glucose uptake signaling in muscle tissue preparations and hepatic glucose production pathways in isolated cell systems.
AMPK Research Tool Comparison
AICAR vs. MOTS-c: Two AMPK Pathway Research Tools
Both AICAR and MOTS-c have been studied as AMPK pathway research tools in published literature, but through distinct mechanisms and compound classes.
Exogenous Nucleoside Analog
AICAR (Acadesine)
- Synthetic nucleoside analog — purine synthesis intermediate
- Exogenous compound introduced to research systems
- Converted intracellularly to ZMP, which activates AMPK via AMP:ATP mimicry
- Widely used as reference/positive-control compound in AMPK pathway assays
- Not a peptide — nucleoside/nucleotide class compound
- CAS: 2627-69-2 · MW: ~338 Da
VS
Endogenous Mitochondrial Peptide
MOTS-c
- Endogenous mitochondria-derived peptide — encoded in the 12S rRNA gene
- Naturally produced in mammalian cells under metabolic stress
- Studied for AMPK pathway engagement through distinct upstream signaling pathways
- Peptide compound — amino acid sequence: MRWQEMGYIFYPRKLR
- Published research has examined its role in mitochondrial–nuclear retrograde signaling
- Research pages: MOTS-c Research →
Sequence Labs Supply
AICAR — 50mg Research Vial
Sequence Labs supplies AICAR (acadesine) as a lyophilized research sample, HPLC and mass spectrometry tested by Krause Analytical, with certificate of analysis available through the Finnrick Pulse portal.
AICAR · Acadesine
~$65
- Vial Size 50mg lyophilized
- Form Lyophilized powder
- Purity Standard ≥98% verified
- Testing Method HPLC + Mass Spectrometry
- Testing Lab Krause Analytical
- COA Platform Finnrick Pulse
- Catalog Review Sabrina Runbeck, PA-C
- Compound Class Nucleoside analog (not a peptide)
- Use Classification Research use only · Not for human use
Quality & Transparency
⚗
Krause Analytical
Independent third-party testing laboratory. HPLC and mass spectrometry verification on every batch.
📋
Finnrick Pulse COA Portal
Certificates of Analysis are available and batch-level traceable via the Finnrick Pulse platform.
🩺
Sabrina Runbeck, PA-C
Licensed Physician Assistant–Certified. Catalog reviewed for compound accuracy and research-context accuracy.
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Research Use Only
Not for human consumption, clinical use, or therapeutic application. For qualified research use only.
Reconstitution Reference
Introducing Solvent to the Research Sample
The following reference information is provided for qualified laboratory researchers. For research use only. All reconstitution procedures should be performed in accordance with the receiving laboratory's established protocols and safety standards.
Step 01
Prepare the Research Sample
Allow the lyophilized AICAR vial to reach ambient laboratory temperature before opening. Inspect the vial for any visible signs of compromise to the seal or powder integrity.
Step 02
Select Solvent
AICAR (acadesine) exhibits good aqueous solubility. Sterile water for injection (WFI) or sterile bacteriostatic water is the standard solvent used in laboratory reconstitution of this research sample. DMSO is generally not required.
Step 03
Introduce Solvent
Introduce the selected solvent volume along the inner wall of the vial using a sterile syringe under laminar flow conditions. Avoid direct application to the lyophilized cake. Gently swirl — do not vortex — until the research sample is fully dissolved.
Step 04
Storage After Reconstitution
Reconstituted AICAR solutions should be aliquoted and stored per the receiving laboratory's standard operating procedures for aqueous nucleoside analog solutions. Consult the COA for specific stability parameters.
For research use only. Not for human use. This reconstitution reference is intended for qualified laboratory researchers operating under appropriate institutional oversight. Sequence Labs provides this information as a general laboratory reference only. Consult the certificate of analysis and your institution's SOPs before handling any research compound.
Common Questions
AICAR Research FAQ
What is AICAR?
AICAR (5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide), also known as acadesine, is a nucleoside analog and naturally occurring purine synthesis intermediate. In cellular systems it is converted intracellularly to ZMP (AICAR-5'-monophosphate), which has been studied as an activator of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling in cell and animal models. It has a molecular weight of approximately 338 Da (nucleoside form) and CAS number 2627-69-2. For research use only — not for human use.
Is AICAR a peptide?
No. AICAR is not a peptide. It is a nucleoside analog — a modified purine ribonucleoside that functions as a purine nucleotide synthesis intermediate. Its molecular structure is fundamentally different from peptide research compounds, which are composed of amino acid chains. AICAR belongs to the nucleoside/nucleotide class of compounds, not the peptide class. This distinction is important for research classification, assay design, and catalog categorization.
How does AMPK pathway research use AICAR?
Published research has examined AICAR as a tool compound in AMPK pathway studies conducted in cell culture and preclinical animal models. When introduced to a cell system, AICAR is phosphorylated to form ZMP, which mimics an elevated AMP:ATP ratio — a key signal recognized by AMPK. This makes AICAR a commonly used positive-control or pathway-probing compound in AMPK activation research assays. All such research is conducted in controlled laboratory settings. Published research has examined — not definitively concluded — these mechanisms, and findings are limited to preclinical contexts.
What size vial does Sequence Labs provide for AICAR?
Sequence Labs provides AICAR (acadesine) in 50mg lyophilized vials, priced at approximately $65 per vial. Each batch is tested by Krause Analytical using HPLC and mass spectrometry to ≥98% purity. Certificates of Analysis are available via the Finnrick Pulse platform. The catalog has been reviewed by Sabrina Runbeck, PA-C. For research use only.
How is AICAR reconstituted for research use?
AICAR (acadesine) exhibits good aqueous solubility. For laboratory research applications, the standard approach is to introduce sterile water (water for injection or bacteriostatic water) to the lyophilized research sample. The solvent should be introduced gently along the inner wall of the vial and the sample swirled — not vortexed — until dissolved. Specific reconstitution volumes and protocols should be determined by the receiving laboratory based on the required research sample concentration for their assay system. For research use only — not for human use.
Is AICAR for human use?
No. AICAR supplied by Sequence Labs is strictly for in vitro and preclinical research use only. It is not intended for human consumption, clinical application, self-experimentation, or therapeutic use of any kind. These products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration for safety or efficacy in humans. For research use only. Not for human use.
Continue Your Research
Browse the full Sequence Labs research compound catalog, explore the MOTS-c comparison, or contact us to inquire about AICAR availability and COA access.