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Calculated reference model · not an experimental or batch-certified structure. All 18 atoms shown.

Model data & sources
  • Heavy atoms only; hydrogens are omitted from the reference display.
  • Source-defined stereochemistry is checked against the calculated coordinates; no energy-minimum, crystal or solution-structure claim is made.
  • Reference molecular species only; batch identity, purity, counterions and excipients are not certified.
Formula
C9H14N4O5
Method
RDKit ETKDGv3 / MMFF94s calculated reference conformer
In stock nowBrowse more certificates
Batch
KC-ACR-GRY1
Reports
2 on file
This ships as the finished vial. The batch code is printed on your label.

AICAR

Research Compounds

Published formats

  • Standard Reference Vial

Supplementary product details from the published catalog, checked 2026-10-07. These reference details do not establish current availability.

Pricing

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Technical Specifications

Batch COA Database ↗
CAS Registry Number2627-69-2
Molecular FormulaC9H14N4O5
Molecular Weight258.23
IUPAC Designation5-amino-1-[(2R,3R,4S,5R)-3,4-dihydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)oxolan-2-yl]imidazole-4-carboxamide
Physical FormWhite to light-yellow lyophilized powder
Storage RequirementsStore at controlled room temperature, sealed and protected from light.
Other NamesAICA ribonucleotide 4-carboxy-5-aminoimidazole ribotide 5'-phosphoribosyl-5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide 5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide ribofuranoside 5'-monophosphate AICAR AICAriboside 5'-monophosphate Z-nucleotide ZMP aminoimidazole carboxamide ribonucleotideAICA ribonucleotide 4-carboxy-5-aminoimidazole ribotide 5'-phosphoribosyl-5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide 5-amino-4-imidazolecarboxamide ribofuranoside 5'-monophosphate AICAR AICAriboside 5'-monophosphate Z-nucleotide ZMP aminoimidazole carboxamide ribonucleotide

Identity fields from the published product record, checked 2026-10-07. Reference information is not a batch identity certificate.

Research Overview

AICAR (Acadesine)

Identity

AICAR is a purine nucleoside analog and a widely used activator of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). It is cell-permeable and, once inside the cell, is phosphorylated to its monophosphate form (ZMP), which mimics AMP and activates AMPK.
Appearance White to light-yellow lyophilized powder
Storage Store at controlled room temperature, sealed and protected from light.

Mechanism

AICAR (acadesine) is a cell-permeable nucleoside. Following uptake, it is phosphorylated intracellularly to ZMP (AICAR monophosphate), an AMP mimetic that activates AMPK — the central cellular energy-sensing kinase. This allows AMPK pathway activation to be studied without altering the cell's actual AMP:ATP ratio, which is the basis of its use as a research tool.

Research applications

  • AMPK pathway activation and kinase-mechanism studies
  • Cellular metabolism and metabolic flux analysis
  • Energy-sensing / low-energy-signal mimicry models
  • Reference compound in metabolic signaling assays
  • Analytical reference standard (AICAR is WADA-prohibited as a metabolic modulator; relevant to anti-doping method development)

Handling and storage

Keep dry, amber or opaque, tightly closed. Use clean, dry tools for weighing. See lot COA.

Storage guidance is a house recommendation. Analytical documentation is per-lot release testing.

Analytical

Identity and purity established by HPLC-UV with MS confirmation against a CAS 2627-69-2 reference standard. Lot-specific certificate of analysis supplied with every unit.

Selected Research Literature

Peer-reviewed literature indexed on PubMed describing AICAR and the AMPK pathway it is used to probe. Citations are provided for scientific context only and do not constitute a claim about this material.

  • Zhou G, Myers R, Li Y, et al. Role of AMP-activated protein kinase in mechanism of metformin action. J Clin Invest. 2001;108(8):1167-1174. doi:10.1172/JCI13505
  • Cantó C, Gerhart-Hines Z, Feige JN, et al. AMPK regulates energy expenditure by modulating NAD+ metabolism and SIRT1 activity. Nature. 2009;458(7241):1056-1060. doi:10.1038/nature07813
  • Dolinar K, Jan V, Pavlin M, Chibalin AV, Pirkmajer S. Nucleosides block AICAR-stimulated activation of AMPK in skeletal muscle and cancer cells. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2018;315(6):C803-C817. doi:10.1152/ajpcell.00311.2017

Assay note. Dolinar et al. report that adenosine and other nucleosides present in common culture media such as MEMα blunt or abolish AICAR-stimulated AMPK activation. Media formulation should be recorded when designing experiments using this compound.

Related Research Compounds

Other metabolic and energy-sensing reference materials in the Research Compounds catalog:

  • O-304 (ATX-304) — direct pan-AMPK activator reference standard
  • SLU-PP-332 — ERR pan-agonist used in mitochondrial biogenesis work
  • Mildronate — carnitine-pathway modulator for oxidative metabolism studies
  • ITPP — allosteric haemoglobin effector used in oxygen-delivery research

Related Research Compounds

Research Use Disclaimer

Research Use Only Disclaimer: This product is labeled and sold "For Research Use Only — NOT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION." It is not a drug, dietary supplement, food, cosmetic, or medical device, and it is not approved by the FDA or any other regulator for human or veterinary use. It is supplied to approved account holders as a research chemical for laboratory use and must be handled in accordance with applicable law.

Certificates of Analysis

Currently shipping from batch KC-ACR-GRY1.

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Research use only. Not for human or veterinary use.