Acetyl D-Glucosamine

Acetyl D-Glucosamine (N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, GlcNAc) is an N-acetylated amino sugar found in intestinal mucins and in the O-GlcNAc modification of nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins. Preclinical work has compared GlcNAc with glucosamine in human articular chondrocytes, tested hexosamine supply to N-glycan branching in T cells and mouse autoimmunity models, and given GlcNAc to mice with DSS-induced colitis. Research Market supplies N-acetyl-D-glucosamine with identity and purity data for each lot on the certificate of analysis. It is sold strictly for laboratory research use.

Chemical structure and identification

• Molecular formula: C₈H₁₅NO₆
• Molecular weight: 221.21 g/mol
• CAS number: 7512-17-6
• PubChem CID: 1738118
• Synonyms: N-acetylglucosamine, GlcNAc, NAG
• Form: Supplied in a sealed research vial
• Analytical methods: Identity and purity data reported on the batch certificate of analysis

Research applications

• Chondrocyte metabolism: In human articular chondrocytes, glucosamine was imported and inhibited hyaluronan and sulfated GAG synthesis, whereas GlcNAc accelerated facilitated glucose transport and stimulated hyaluronan synthesis with up-regulation of hyaluronan synthase-2 [1]
• N-glycan branching in T cells: GlcNAc was among the hexosamine-pathway metabolites that increased β1,6GlcNAc-branched N-glycans in Jurkat T cells; hexosamine supplementation in mice suppressed T cell receptor signaling and models of EAE and autoimmune diabetes [2]
• Gut barrier models: In mice with DSS-induced colitis, 0.3% GlcNAc improved serum CD14 and occludin expression and lowered inflammatory markers, and altered intestinal microbial composition [3]
• O-GlcNAc signaling: Reviewed for the cycling of O-GlcNAc on serine and threonine residues by OGT and OGA and its roles in signaling, transcription, mitochondrial function and cell survival [4]

Reference citations

1. Shikhman A.R. et al. (2009). Differential metabolic effects of glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine in human articular chondrocytes. Osteoarthritis Cartilage, 17(8):1022–1028. PMID 19332174 · DOI
2. Grigorian A. et al. (2007). Control of T Cell-mediated autoimmunity by metabolite flux to N-glycan biosynthesis. J Biol Chem, 282(27):20027–20035. PMID 17488719 · DOI
3. Choi S.I. et al. (2023). N-Acetylglucosamine and its dimer ameliorate inflammation in murine colitis by strengthening the gut barrier function. Food Funct, 14(18):8533–8544. PMID 37655824 · DOI
4. Chatham J.C. et al. (2021). Role of O-Linked N-Acetylglucosamine Protein Modification in Cellular (Patho)Physiology. Physiol Rev, 101(2):427–493. PMID 32730113 · DOI

Compound data from PubChem CID 1738118. Literature summaries describe published preclinical research and are not claims about this product’s effects in humans or animals.