Every lot of AICAR is tested by an independent ISO/IEC 17025-accredited lab in the USA. 99%+ purity isn't a target here. It's the requirement.
Don't take our word for it: test any vial at an accredited lab of your choice. If HPLC purity comes back under 99%, we refund your order and pay for the test.
AICAR is an adenosine analog widely used as a pharmacological AMPK activator in metabolic research. Inside the cell it is phosphorylated to ZMP, an AMP mimetic that allosterically activates AMP-activated protein kinase. It is one of the standard reference tools for AMPK-pathway work in culture and in rodent models. For laboratory research use only.
Adenosine analog studied as an AMPK pathway activator
The numbers that define AICAR and how it is being studied. For laboratory research use only.
AMPK
Pathway Target
AMP-activated protein kinase
50 mg
Per Vial
Lyophilized powder
ZMP
Active Metabolite
AMP mimetic formed intracellularly
4
Research Areas
Metabolic regulation
Glucose uptake
Mitochondrial biogenesis
How It Works
How AICAR works
The pathways AICAR acts on - and what each one does. The animation traces its signal outward from the compound to every target it engages.
Signalling pathways studied in preclinical models · illustrative
Intracellular Conversion to ZMP
Metabolism
AICAR is taken up by adenosine transporters and phosphorylated to ZMP. ZMP mimics AMP and allosterically activates AMPK without changing cellular AMP levels, which is what makes AICAR a standard pharmacological tool.
Adenosine transporter uptake
Phosphorylation to ZMP
AMP-mimetic activation
AMPK Pathway Activation
Signalling
AMPK activation is measured by phosphorylation of downstream substrates including acetyl-CoA carboxylase. Glucose-uptake and fatty-acid-oxidation endpoints follow in the characterised literature.
ACC phosphorylation
Glucose uptake endpoints
Fatty-acid oxidation
Mitochondrial Biogenesis
Cellular
Downstream PGC-1α signalling and mitochondrial biogenesis endpoints are characterised in skeletal muscle models.
PGC-1α signalling
Mitochondrial biogenesis
Skeletal muscle models
Uses & Applications
What AICAR is researched for
The main areas AICAR is being studied for - and the study-reported figures behind them.
Metabolic
AMPK Pathway Research
AICAR is one of the standard pharmacological AMPK activators used as a positive control in pathway work.
Metabolic
Glucose Uptake Models
Glucose-uptake endpoints in skeletal muscle culture are widely characterised.
Cell Biology
Mitochondrial Biogenesis
PGC-1α signalling and biogenesis endpoints are measured downstream of AMPK activation.
Analytical
Reference Compound
Frequently used as a characterised reference activator in assay development.
Study-reported magnitudes
Representative figures from published research. Bars fill as you scroll.
AMPK ActivationCharacterised
Glucose Uptake EndpointsMeasured
Mitochondrial BiogenesisCharacterised
Documented Purity≥99%
Figures are representative of published research findings and shown for reference.
Molecular Structure
The AICAR molecule
An interactive 3D model rendered from the compound record - rotate and explore its structure.
It is converted intracellularly to ZMP, which mimics AMP and activates AMPK allosterically without altering the cell's actual AMP levels. That lets a protocol activate the pathway pharmacologically.
No. It is a small-molecule adenosine analog, not a peptide. It is included here as a metabolic-research reference compound.
The molecular weight will be published here from the lot's Certificate of Analysis rather than quoted from a secondary source.
Each lot is analysed by reverse-phase HPLC and released at ≥99%, with a Certificate of Analysis.
Store lyophilized at -20°C for long-term stability, protected from light and moisture, and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.
Research Use Only.
Not for human or veterinary use. For in-vitro laboratory research only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA; this product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Sold exclusively to qualified researchers and institutions.
