NAD+ metabolism in health and disease

Abstract

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is both a coenzyme for hydride-transfer enzymes and a substrate for NAD+-consuming enzymes, which include ADP-ribose transferases, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases, cADP-ribose synthases and sirtuins. Recent results establish protective roles for NAD+ that might be applicable therapeutically to prevent neurodegenerative conditions and to fight Candida glabrata infection. In addition, the contribution that NAD+ metabolism makes to lifespan extension in model systems indicates that therapies to boost NAD+ might promote some of the beneficial effects of calorie restriction. Nicotinamide riboside, the recently discovered nucleoside precursor of NAD+ in eukaryotic systems, might have advantages as a therapy to elevate NAD+ without inhibiting sirtuins, which is associated with high-dose nicotinamide, or incurring the unpleasant side-effects of high-dose nicotinic acid. © 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.