1-aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid

**1-Aminocyclopropanecarboxylic acid (ACPC)** is a non-proteinogenic alpha-amino acid consisting of a cyclopropane ring with amino and carboxyl substituents at the same position. It is best known as an intermediate in the biosynthesis of ethylene in plants and acts as a plant metabolite and ethylene releaser[1][8]. In mammals, ACPC functions as a partial agonist at the strychnine-insensitive glycine recognition site on the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor complex. This action modulates NMDA receptor activity—enhancing or inhibiting function depending on ambient glutamate and glycine concentrations[3][4]. Preclinical studies show that ACPC has neuroprotective effects (reducing seizure induction and cell death after NMDA exposure), procognitive effects (improving object recognition memory and cognitive flexibility), anticonvulsant properties, anxiolytic-like actions, anti-addictive potential by preventing opioid tolerance development when co-administered with opioids in animal models[3][8][9]. It does not significantly affect attention or impulsivity but may have antipsychotic-like effects via modulation of NMDA receptor function[3].

Other names

1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acidACCAc3cAc-3cAc 3cH-ACPC-OHaminocyclopropanecarboxylic acidcyclopropanecarboxylic acid 1-amino-acpc-OH1-amino-1-cyclopropanecarboxylic acid