5-Amino-1MQ vs SS-31
Longevity
5-Amino-1MQ
Small-molecule NNMT inhibitor studied for effects on cellular methylation capacity and NAD+ salvage.
Longevity
SS-31
Mitochondria-targeting tetrapeptide with high affinity for cardiolipin on the inner mitochondrial membrane.
Side by side
| Dimension | 5-Amino-1MQ | SS-31 |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular weight A 4.0× difference in mass — these are not comparable on a milligram-for-milligram basis. | 159.21 g/mol | 639.79 g/mol |
| Size class | small molecule / short peptide | short peptide |
| CAS number | 42464-96-0 | 736992-21-5 |
| Research area | longevity | longevity |
| Sequence | Not published as a linear sequence | D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2 |
| Available sizes | 10mg | 10mg |
| Entry price | $49 | $49 |
| Cost per mg | $4.90 | $4.90 |
Mechanism
5-Amino-1MQ
5-Amino-1MQ is a small-molecule quinolinium compound, not a peptide — worth stating plainly, since it is routinely sold alongside peptides. It is a cell-permeable inhibitor of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT), the enzyme that methylates nicotinamide and thereby diverts it away from the NAD+ salvage pathway. Research interest follows from NNMT overexpression in adipose tissue and the hypothesis that inhibition preserves both methyl donor pools and NAD+ precursor availability.
SS-31
SS-31 is a cell-permeable tetrapeptide that concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane through interaction with cardiolipin, a phospholipid essential to cristae architecture and respiratory supercomplex assembly. Its alternating aromatic-cationic motif drives membrane targeting independent of mitochondrial membrane potential — a mechanistic distinction from earlier targeting strategies such as TPP+ conjugation.
Research applications
5-Amino-1MQ
- NNMT enzyme inhibition and selectivity assays
- NAD+ salvage pathway flux studies
- S-adenosylmethionine and methyl donor pool measurement
- Adipocyte metabolic studies
SS-31
- Cardiolipin binding and cristae morphology studies
- Mitochondrial respiration and ATP synthesis assays
- Reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress models
- Ischemia-reperfusion injury research
Common questions
What is the difference between 5-Amino-1MQ and SS-31?
5-Amino-1MQ is small-molecule NNMT inhibitor studied for effects on cellular methylation capacity and NAD+ salvage. SS-31 is mitochondria-targeting tetrapeptide with high affinity for cardiolipin on the inner mitochondrial membrane. They differ in molecular weight (159.21 vs 639.79 g/mol) and in the pathways they are studied against.
Which is more cost-effective per milligram, 5-Amino-1MQ or SS-31?
5-Amino-1MQ is lower at approximately $4.90 per milligram at its best tier, against $4.90 for the other. Cost per milligram is only meaningful relative to the concentrations a given protocol requires, since these compounds are not used at comparable masses.
Can 5-Amino-1MQ and SS-31 be studied together?
Combination designs appear in the published literature for a number of these compounds. Whether it is appropriate for a given protocol depends entirely on the model and endpoint. We supply research compounds and do not provide protocol guidance — consult the primary literature for your specific model.
How should 5-Amino-1MQ and SS-31 be stored?
Store at -20°C protected from light and moisture. For SS-31: Store lyophilized powder at -20°C protected from light. Reconstituted solution stable at 2-8°C for up to 30 days.
All products are intended strictly for laboratory research use. Not for human or veterinary use. Not for diagnostic or therapeutic use. Not a drug, food, or cosmetic.
Comparison generated from NuVida Vital catalog data. Every specification is reconciled against the certificate of analysis for the shipped batch.