Description

AICAR for Advanced AMPK and Cellular Metabolism Research

AICAR Peptide is a well-characterized synthetic nucleoside analog that has become one of the most widely used pharmacological tools for studying AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), the master regulator of cellular energy homeostasis. After entering cells, AICAR is phosphorylated by adenosine kinase to form ZMP (AICA ribotide), an AMP analog that activates AMPK and initiates downstream metabolic signaling.

Researchers utilize AICAR across multiple scientific disciplines, including molecular biology, metabolism, exercise physiology, oncology, mitochondrial biology, and pharmacology. Experimental investigations frequently examine AMPK-mediated regulation of glucose utilization, lipid metabolism, mitochondrial function, autophagy, transcriptional control, and intracellular energy balance.

Because AICAR activates a highly conserved metabolic signaling network, it is commonly incorporated into studies investigating PGC-1α, mTOR, ACC, ULK1, and other signaling pathways governing mitochondrial adaptation and metabolic regulation. Its predictable mechanism of action and extensive scientific validation have established AICAR as a reference standard for metabolic research.

Every batch is manufactured under rigorous quality-controlled conditions, analytically verified for purity and structural identity, and supplied as a stable research-grade powder with a comprehensive Certificate of Analysis to support reproducible laboratory investigations.

For research use only. Not intended for human consumption or clinical use.

Key Research Highlights

• Potent pharmacological activator of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
• Converted intracellularly into the AMP analog ZMP
• Extensively investigated in cellular energy metabolism research
• Frequently utilized in mitochondrial biogenesis studies
• Studied for regulation of glucose metabolism and fatty acid oxidation
• Commonly incorporated into autophagy and mTOR signaling investigations
• Widely used as a reference compound in metabolic biology
• High-purity research-grade formulation for laboratory applications
• Certificate of Analysis (COA) included with every batch
• Verified chemical identity using validated analytical methods
• Excellent batch-to-batch reproducibility
• Suitable for academic, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical laboratories

Why Researchers Choose This Product

• ≥99% research-grade purity verified through analytical testing
• Well-established reference compound for AMPK activation studies
• Excellent chemical stability for laboratory investigations
• Reliable performance in cellular and biochemical assays
• Comprehensive Certificate of Analysis supplied
• Manufactured under stringent quality-controlled procedures
• Suitable for metabolism, pharmacology, and molecular biology research
• Consistent analytical performance across production batches
• Available in multiple research quantities
• Intended exclusively for laboratory and scientific investigations

Research Applications

AMPK Signaling Research

Researchers employ AICAR to investigate activation of AMP-activated protein kinase and downstream signaling pathways involved in cellular energy sensing and metabolic regulation.

Mitochondrial Biology

AICAR is widely utilized in laboratory studies examining mitochondrial biogenesis, oxidative phosphorylation, ATP production, and mitochondrial adaptation through AMPK-dependent mechanisms.

Glucose and Lipid Metabolism

Experimental models incorporate AICAR to evaluate glucose transport, glycolysis, fatty acid oxidation, acetyl-CoA metabolism, and metabolic flexibility under varying cellular conditions.

Cellular Energy Homeostasis

Scientists investigate intracellular energy balance, AMP-sensitive signaling networks, metabolic stress responses, and nutrient-sensing pathways using AICAR as a pharmacological research tool.

Molecular Pharmacology

Researchers utilize AICAR to study compound pharmacodynamics, intracellular metabolism, enzyme activation, signal transduction, and metabolic pathway modulation.

Cancer and Systems Biology Research

AICAR serves as a valuable experimental reagent for investigations involving metabolic reprogramming, autophagy regulation, transcriptomic analysis, proteomics, and systems-level metabolic network research.

Product Specifications

Mechanism of Action

AICAR (Acadesine) is a synthetic nucleoside analog that functions as one of the most extensively characterized pharmacological activators of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Following cellular uptake through nucleoside transporters, AICAR undergoes intracellular phosphorylation by adenosine kinase to produce 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide (ZMP). ZMP closely resembles endogenous AMP and serves as an intracellular AMP mimetic, allowing researchers to investigate energy-sensing pathways under controlled laboratory conditions. AICAR Peptide.

Accumulation of ZMP promotes activation of AMPK by enhancing phosphorylation of the catalytic α-subunit at Thr172 by upstream kinases such as liver kinase B1 (LKB1) and, in certain experimental systems, calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase β (CaMKKβ). Activated AMPK functions as a central metabolic regulator by coordinating anabolic and catabolic processes to maintain intracellular energy homeostasis. AICAR Peptide

Once activated, AMPK phosphorylates multiple downstream substrates, including acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), leading to reduced malonyl-CoA production and increased mitochondrial fatty acid transport through enhanced carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1) activity. Laboratory studies also demonstrate AMPK-mediated inhibition of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway, resulting in altered protein synthesis, enhanced autophagic signaling through ULK1, and modulation of cellular growth pathways.

Published research has further examined AICAR-induced activation of PGC-1α, a transcriptional coactivator involved in mitochondrial biogenesis, oxidative metabolism, and metabolic adaptation. Additional investigations explore interactions with glucose transporter (GLUT4) trafficking, glycolytic regulation, oxidative phosphorylation, and transcriptional networks controlling cellular metabolism.

Because AICAR activates a highly conserved intracellular energy-sensing system with well-characterized molecular targets, it remains a gold-standard research compound for metabolic biology, mitochondrial physiology, molecular pharmacology, systems biology, and cellular signaling investigations.

For research use only. Not intended for human consumption or clinical use.