MB-001 Molecular Biology

NAD+

A coenzyme present in every living cell, used by enzymes that move electrons between reactions.

Established Biology

Why it matters

NAD+ is one of the cell's central electron carriers. Reactions that release energy from nutrients hand their electrons to NAD+, which carries them onward.

Key points

  • Full name: nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide.
  • It accepts electrons and becomes NADH; the pair cycles continuously.
  • It is a required co-substrate for several enzyme families, including the sirtuins.
  • Cellular NAD+ levels have been observed to decline with age — an active area of research.

References

  1. Covarrubias AJ, Perrone R, Grozio A, Verdin E. NAD+ metabolism and its roles in cellular processes during ageing. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol. 2021;22:119–141. doi:10.1038/s41580-020-00313-x
  2. Nelson DL, Cox MM. Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, 8th ed. W. H. Freeman, 2021.

Related records

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