Guanidineacetic acid

Guanidineacetic acid (CAS No.: 352-97-6) is an endogenous alpha amino acid derivative and a key intermediate in creatine biosynthesis, formed from glycine via glycine amidinotransferase in the kidney and pancreas and subsequently methylated in the liver by guanidinoacetate N-methyltransferase to yield creatine. As a direct precursor of creatine, it plays a central role in cellular energy metabolism by supporting the creatine phosphate/creatine kinase system, thereby contributing to ATP homeostasis in tissues with high energetic demand such as skeletal muscle and brain. Guanidineacetic acid has been shown to modulate myogenic differentiation and energy-regulatory pathways, including activation of the Akt/mTOR/S6K signaling axis, potentially mediated through microRNA-dependent mechanisms, and to upregulate key myogenic transcription factors such as MyoD and MyoG. Altered levels of this metabolite are associated with cerebral creatine deficiency syndromes linked to enzymatic defects in its biosynthetic pathway, underscoring its relevance in metabolic and neurological research. In vitro and cellular studies typically employ concentrations in the micromolar to millimolar range to investigate its effects on muscle cell differentiation, mitochondrial function, and metabolic flux, while in vivo models are used to evaluate its impact on muscle performance, neurodevelopment, and metabolic disorders, with dosing regimens varying according to experimental design. Consequently, guanidineacetic acid serves as a valuable tool compound for studying bioenergetics, creatine metabolism, and signaling pathways relevant to muscle biology and neurometabolic diseases, as well as for exploratory applications in nutritional and feed additive research.