AICAR

AICAR (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleotide) is a cell-permeable analog of AMP that activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) — the master energy sensor and metabolic switch of the cell. When intracellular AMP:ATP ratios rise (signaling low energy), AMPK phosphorylates and regulates dozens of downstream targets involved in glucose uptake, fatty acid oxidation, mitochondrial biogenesis, and autophagy. AICAR bypasses this upstream signal by directly activating AMPK, making it a powerful experimental tool for dissecting AMPK-dependent metabolic pathways. Research in animal models has documented AICAR's effects on skeletal muscle metabolism, including increased GLUT4 translocation, enhanced fatty acid oxidation, and transcriptional activation of mitochondrial biogenesis genes (PGC-1α, TFAM). Landmark studies demonstrated that AICAR administration improved running endurance in sedentary mice independently of exercise training — generating significant interest in AMPK agonism as an exercise mimetic. Research continues to explore AICAR's effects in models of type 2 diabetes, obesity, cardiac protection, and aging. Supplied for laboratory use only.