Order AICAR

Direct Guide to Sourcing Research-Grade AICAR

When planning to order AICAR for laboratory experimentation, institutional buyers must select suppliers that enforce rigorous analytical quality controls and offer complete batch traceability. AICAR (Acadesine ribonucleotide) is a specialized biochemical tool requiring precise chemical synthesis, high analytical purity, and strict endotoxin control to avoid confounding cellular responses in vitro or in vivo.

PX1 Research manufactures small molecules and peptides in state-of-the-art USA facilities. Every lot of AICAR undergoes extensive testing in ISO 17025 accredited laboratories, utilizing Reverse-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC) and Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS). Laboratories seeking consistent, reproducible baseline data can explore our full catalog of research compounds for complementary metabolic markers and biochemical probes.

Chemical Identity and Structural Specifications of AICAR

AICAR is a nucleoside analog structurally related to adenosine monophosphate (AMP). Known chemically as 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide 1-β-D-ribofuranoside (or its phosphorylated derivative ZMP), the compound possesses a molecular formula of C9H14N4O5 (riboside form) or C9H15N5O8P (monophosphate form) with a molecular weight of 258.23 g/mol (riboside free base).

Inside the cell, AICAR acts as a precursor to ZMP (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide). ZMP directly mimics endogenous AMP by binding to the gamma (γ) regulatory subunit of AMPK without significantly altering cellular ATP, ADP, or AMP ratios. This unique property makes AICAR an essential reagent in cell biology for evaluating AMP-dependent pathways independent of acute energetic stress or nutrient deprivation.

Biochemical Mechanism of Action: Selective AMPK Activation

The primary mechanism of AICAR centers on its intracellular conversion to ZMP via adenosine kinase. ZMP binds allosterically to the γ subunit of AMPK, inducing a conformational change that facilitates the phosphorylation of Threonine-172 (Thr172) on the alpha (α) catalytic subunit by upstream kinases such as Liver Kinase B1 (LKB1).

Once activated, AMPK acts as a master metabolic sensor, initiating downstream phosphorylation cascades that promote catabolic ATP-generating pathways while suppressing anabolic ATP-consuming processes. In vitro models demonstrate that AICAR-mediated AMPK activation alters key targets including acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α). Investigating these signaling cascades allows researchers to isolate specific metabolic regulators, a focus shared across our broader research library hub.

Preclinical Literature: Metabolic and Cellular Signaling Research

Preclinical studies across rodent and cell culture models have evaluated AICAR across several primary research domain categories:

1. Glucose Transport and Insulin Sensitivity: In vitro muscle tissue assays indicate that AICAR stimulation promotes glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) translocation to the plasma membrane independently of insulin receptor activation. Rodent models show enhanced systemic glucose clearance following acute AICAR administration.

2. Mitochondrial Biogenesis: Long-term exposure to AICAR in murids leads to increased expression of mitochondrial enzymes, including cytochrome c and citrate synthase, via upregulation of PGC-1α expression.

3. Lipid Oxidation and Fatty Acid Synthesis: By phosphorylating and inactivating ACC, AICAR suppresses de novo lipogenesis while elevating carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1) activity, accelerating mitochondrial fatty acid beta-oxidation in preclinical hepatocyte assays.

4. Ischemic Preconditioning: Cellular injury models demonstrate that AICAR modulates intracellular adenosine accumulation, attenuating inflammatory responses and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production during hypoxia-reoxygenation experiments.

Comparative Analysis: AICAR vs. MOTS-c, SR9009, and GW501516

Metabolic research frequently evaluates multiple signaling molecules to isolate specific energy pathways. Understanding the operational differences between AICAR and adjacent agents assists laboratories in selecting the appropriate target activator.

While AICAR activates AMPK directly via intracellular conversion to ZMP, the mitochondrial-derived peptide MOTS-c stimulates AMPK indirectly through folate cycle inhibition and AICAR-independent metabolic pathways. Alternatively, the synthetic Rev-ErbA agonist SR9009 influences circadian metabolic control and mitochondrial gene expression via nuclear receptor modulation rather than direct nucleoside kinase pathways. Similarly, the PPARδ agonist GW501516 alters transcription of fatty acid transport genes downstream of AMPK signaling. Combining these distinct biochemical probes enables researchers to map intersecting bioenergetic networks with precision.

Analytical Quality Standards: HPLC, MS, and Endotoxin Verification

The validity of cellular bioenergetic data depends on reagent purity. Impurities in nucleoside analogs can lead to off-target cytotoxicity, uncoupled oxidative phosphorylation, or false-positive activation of unrelated kinase cascades. PX1 Research enforces stringent analytical criteria for every batch of AICAR produced:

1. Reverse-Phase HPLC Purity: Each lot must exhibit ≥98.0% chemical purity by peak area integration, ensuring the absence of unreacted synthetic precursors or degradation products.

2. Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS): Structural identity is verified by matching the exact monoisotopic mass against theoretical spectrum standards.

3. Endotoxin Quantification: To protect primary cell cultures and in vivo animal models from pyrogen-induced stress, lot-specific Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) testing guarantees endotoxin levels below 0.01 EU/mg.

4. Comprehensive Documentation: Every order includes an authentic Certificate of Analysis (COA) detailing the specific analytical spectrums, lot numbers, and manufacture parameters.

Reconstitution and Solution Preparation Protocols for Laboratory Use

AICAR is supplied as a lyophilized crystalline powder to maximize long-term stability. Proper handling and reconstitution are essential to preserve chemical integrity:

Reconstitution Media: AICAR is freely soluble in aqueous solutions, including sterile physiological saline, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4), or sterile water for injection. For high-concentration stock solutions, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) may be utilized.

Solubility Limits: Maximum solubility in aqueous buffers typically ranges from 20 mg/mL to 50 mg/mL depending on temperature and pH. Vortexing or mild sonication at room temperature can accelerate dissolution.

Sterilization: If preparing stock solutions for sterile cell culture work, pass the reconstituted solution through a non-pyrogenic 0.22-micron PES syringe filter immediately after complete dissolution.

Storage, Handling, and Degradation Mitigation

To prevent hydrolytic or oxidative breakdown, research facilities should implement standard cold-chain storage protocols:

Lyophilized Powder: Store at -20°C in a desiccated environment protected from light. Under these conditions, the un-reconstituted compound remains stable for up to 24 months.

Reconstituted Solutions: Aliquot stock solutions into single-use microcentrifuge tubes to prevent repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Store liquid aliquots at -80°C for long-term experiments or -20°C for short-term use (up to 30 days).

Light Sensitivity: AICAR powder and solutions should be shielded from direct UV light exposure during storage and experimental procedures.

Institutional Procurement and Wholesale Ordering Framework

PX1 Research accommodates the demands of university laboratories, contract research organizations (CROs), and industrial R&D departments. For high-volume projects requiring multi-gram quantities or specialized batch manufacturing, research buyers can request customized fulfillment through our dedicated wholesale procurement program.

All orders ship directly from centralized logistics hubs in California and Arizona, offering same-day dispatch for orders confirmed Monday through Friday before cut-off schedules. Institutional accounts receive direct access to dedicated technical support, lot tracking, and archived COA documentation to support compliance audit trails.