A'icar is a cell permeable activator AM PK, a metabolic master regulator that is activated in times of reduced energy availability (high cellular AMP:ATP ratios) and serves to inhibit anabolic processes. In vivo, pharmacologic activation of AM PK with A'icar mimics exercise and triggers insuli-independent glucose uptake by skeletal muscle.

A'ICAR (AICA-Riboside) strongly inhibits the transcription of PPARα and the coactivation of PPAR&alpha. In adipocyte studies it has been shown to antagonize lipolysis induced by isoprenali and has been suggested for use in kinase cascade research. Additionally, research indicates that A'ICAR blocks the differentiation of 3T3-L1 (sc-2243) adipocytes. Studies demonstrate that A'ICAR can mimic the activity of insul (sc-211647) by activating AM PK , and affecting the expression of PEPCK-M (PEPCK) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase). The 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside (ZMP) is the monophosphorylated derivative of AICA-Riboside, and it can serve as the substrate for the aminoimidazole carboxamide ribonucleotide transformylase/inosine monophosphate cyclohydrolase (ATIC).