Project description:Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a key redox compound in all living cells responsible for energy transduction, genomic integrity, life-span extension, and neuromodulation. Here, we report a new function of NAD+ as a molecular photocatalyst in addition to the biological roles. Our spectroscopic and electrochemical analyses reveal light absorption and electronic properties of two π-conjugated systems of NAD+. Furthermore, NAD+ exhibits a robust photostability under UV-Vis-NIR irradiation. We demonstrate photocatalytic redox reactions driven by NAD+, such as O2 reduction, H2O oxidation, and the formation of metallic nanoparticles. Beyond the traditional role of NAD+ as a cofactor in redox biocatalysis, NAD+ executes direct photoactivation of oxidoreductases through the reduction of enzyme prosthetic groups. Consequently, the synergetic integration of biocatalysis and photocatalysis using NAD+ enables solar-to-chemical conversion with the highest-ever-recorded turnover frequency and total turnover number of 1263.4 hour-1 and 1692.3, respectively, for light-driven biocatalytic trans-hydrogenation.
Project description:Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP) is an indispensable metabolic co-substrate and nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) is an important Ca2+ releasing intracellular second messenger. Exploration of the NADP and NAADP interactome often requires the synthesis of NADP derivatives substituted on the adenosine nucleoside. The introduction of the 2'-phosphate of NADP makes the synthesis of substituted NADP derivatives difficult. We have employed recombinant human NAD kinase expressed in E. coli as an enzymatic reagent to convert readily available synthetic NAD derivatives to NADP analogs, which were subsequently transformed into NAADP derivatives using enzyme catalyzed pyridine base exchange. 8-Ethynyl-NADP, 8-ethynyl-NAADP and 5-N3-8-ethynyl-NAADP were synthesized starting from a protected 8-ethynyladenosine using a combination of chemical and enzymatic steps and the NAADP derivatives shown to be recognized by the sea urchin NAADP receptor at low concentration. Our methodology will enable researchers to produce mono- and bi-substituted NADP and NAADP analogs that can be applied in proteomic studies to identify NADP and NAADP binding proteins.
Project description:Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is an important coenzyme that regulates various metabolic pathways, including glycolysis, β-oxidation, and oxidative phosphorylation. Additionally, NAD serves as a substrate for poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), sirtuin, and NAD glycohydrolase, and it regulates DNA repair, gene expression, energy metabolism, and stress responses. Many studies have demonstrated that NAD metabolism is deeply involved in aging and aging-related diseases. Previously, we demonstrated that nicotinamide guanine dinucleotide (NGD) and nicotinamide hypoxanthine dinucleotide (NHD), which are analogs of NAD, are significantly increased in Nmnat3-overexpressing mice. However, there is insufficient knowledge about NGD and NHD in vivo. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the metabolism and biochemical properties of these NAD analogs. We demonstrated that endogenous NGD and NHD were found in various murine tissues, and their synthesis and degradation partially rely on Nmnat3 and CD38. We have also shown that NGD and NHD serve as coenzymes for alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) in vitro, although their affinity is much lower than that of NAD. On the other hand, NGD and NHD cannot be used as substrates for SIRT1, SIRT3, and PARP1. These results reveal the basic metabolism of NGD and NHD and also highlight their biological function as coenzymes.
Project description:The regenerative capacity of the liver is essential for recovery from surgical resection or injuries induced by trauma or toxins. During liver regeneration, the concentration of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) falls, at least in part due to metabolic competition for precursors. To test whether NAD availability restricts the rate of liver regeneration, we supplied nicotinamide riboside (NR), an NAD precursor, in the drinking water of mice subjected to partial hepatectomy. NR increased DNA synthesis, mitotic index, and mass restoration in the regenerating livers. Intriguingly, NR also ameliorated the steatosis that normally accompanies liver regeneration. To distinguish the role of hepatocyte NAD levels from any systemic effects of NR, we generated mice overexpressing nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase, a rate-limiting enzyme for NAD synthesis, specifically in the liver. Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase overexpressing mice were mildly hyperglycemic at baseline and, similar to mice treated with NR, exhibited enhanced liver regeneration and reduced steatosis following partial hepatectomy. Conversely, mice lacking nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase in hepatocytes exhibited impaired regenerative capacity that was completely rescued by administering NR.ConclusionNAD availability is limiting during liver regeneration, and supplementation with precursors such as NR may be therapeutic in settings of acute liver injury. (Hepatology 2017;65:616-630).
Project description:Axonal degeneration is a hallmark of many neurological disorders. Studies in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases indicate that axonal degeneration is an early event in the disease process, and delaying this process can lead to decreased progression of the disease and survival extension. Overexpression of the Wallerian degeneration slow (Wld(s)) protein can delay axonal degeneration initiated via axotomy, chemotherapeutic agents, or genetic mutations. The Wld(s) protein consists of the N-terminal portion of the ubiquitination factor Ube4b fused to the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) biosynthetic enzyme nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyl transferase 1 (Nmnat1). We previously showed that the Nmnat1 portion of this fusion protein was the critical moiety for Wld(s)-mediated axonal protection. Here, we describe the development of an automated quantitative assay for assessing axonal degeneration. This method successfully showed that Nmnat1 enzymatic activity is important for axonal protection as mutants with reduced enzymatic activity lacked axon protective activity. We also found that Nmnat enzymes with diverse sequences and structures from various species, including Drosophila melanogaster, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and archaebacterium Methanocaldococcus jannaschii, which encodes a protein with no homology to eukaryotic Nmnat enzymes, all mediate robust axonal protection after axotomy. Besides the importance of Nmnat enzymatic activity, we did not observe changes in the steady-state NAD(+) level, and we found that inhibition of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt), which synthesizes substrate for Nmnat in mammalian cells, did not affect the protective activity of Nmnat1. These results provide the possibility of a role for new Nmnat enzymatic activity in axonal protection in addition to NAD(+) synthesis.
Project description:Current studies on the age-related development of metabolic dysfunction and frailty are each day in more evidence. It is known, as aging progresses, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) levels decrease in an expected physiological process. Recent studies have shown that a reduction in NAD+ is a key factor for the development of age-associated metabolic decline. Increased NAD+ levels in vivo results in activation of pro-longevity and health span-related factors. Also, it improves several physiological and metabolic parameters of aging, including muscle function, exercise capacity, glucose tolerance, and cardiac function in mouse models of natural and accelerated aging. Given the importance of monitoring cellular NAD+ and NADH levels, it is crucial to have a trustful method to do so. This protocol has the purpose of describing the NAD+ and NADH extraction from tissues and cells in an efficient and widely applicable assay as well as its graphic and quantitative analysis.
Project description:Universal and ubiquitous redox cofactors, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and its phosphorylated analog (NADP), collectively contribute to approximately 12% of all biochemical reactions included in the metabolic model of Escherichia coli K-12. A homeostasis of the NAD pool faithfully maintained by the cells results from a dynamic balance in a network of NAD biosynthesis, utilization, decomposition, and recycling pathways that is subject to tight regulation at various levels. A brief overview of NAD utilization processes is provided in this review, including some examples of nonredox utilization. The review focuses mostly on those aspects of NAD biogenesis and utilization in E. coli and Salmonella that emerged within the past 12 years. The first pyridine nucleotide cycle (PNC) originally identified in mammalian systems and termed the Preiss-Handler pathway includes a single-step conversion of niacin (Na) to NaMN by nicotinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase (PncB). In E. coli and many other prokaryotes, this enzyme, together with nicotinamide deamidase (PncA), compose the major pathway for utilization of the pyridine ring in the form of amidated (Nm) or deamidated (Na) precursors. The existence of various regulatory mechanisms and checkpoints that control the NAD biosynthetic machinery reflects the importance of maintaining NAD homeostasis in a variety of growth conditions. Among the most important regulatory mechanisms at the level of individual enzymes are a classic feedback inhibition of NadB, the first enzyme of NAD de novo biosynthesis, by NAD and a metabolic regulation of NadK by reduced cofactors.
Project description:Mitochondrial NAD levels influence fuel selection, circadian rhythms, and cell survival under stress. It has alternately been argued that NAD in mammalian mitochondria arises from import of cytosolic nicotinamide (NAM), nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), or NAD itself. We provide evidence that murine and human mitochondria take up intact NAD. Isolated mitochondria preparations cannot make NAD from NAM, and while NAD is synthesized from NMN, it does not localize to the mitochondrial matrix or effectively support oxidative phosphorylation. Treating cells with nicotinamide riboside that is isotopically labeled on the nicotinamide and ribose moieties results in the appearance of doubly labeled NAD within mitochondria. Analogous experiments with doubly labeled nicotinic acid riboside (labeling cytosolic NAD without labeling NMN) demonstrate that NAD(H) is the imported species. Our results challenge the long-held view that the mitochondrial inner membrane is impermeable to pyridine nucleotides and suggest the existence of an unrecognized mammalian NAD (or NADH) transporter.
Project description:The ultraviolet resonance Raman spectra of the adenine-containing enzymatic redox cofactors nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and flavin adenine dinucleotide in aqueous solution of physiological concentration are compared with the aim of distinguishing between them and their building block adenine in potential co-occurrence in biological materials. At an excitation wavelength of 266 nm, the spectra are dominated by the strong resonant contribution from adenine; nevertheless, bands assigned to vibrational modes of the nicotinamide and the flavin unit are found to appear at similar signal strength. Comparison of spectra measured at pH 7 with data obtained pH 10 and pH 3 shows characteristic changes when pH is increased or lowered, mainly due to deprotonation of the flavin and nicotinamide moieties, and protonation of the adenine, respectively.
Project description:The pathophysiologic mechanisms of epileptogenesis are poorly understood, and no effective therapy exists for suppressing epileptogenesis. Numerous reports have shown that nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) has neuroprotective effects, suggesting its potential use for treating epileptogenesis. Here we evaluated the effects of NAD+ on epileptogenesis and the mechanisms underlying these effects. In pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE) model mice, NAD+ was injected three times within 24.5 h after SE. NAD+ intervention significantly reduced the incidence of spontaneous recurrent seizure (SRS) and abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG) activity, rescued contextual fear memory formation, reduced neuronal loss in the CA1 region of the hippocampus at SRS stage. Furthermore, exogenous supply of NAD+ distinctly reversed the seizure-induced depletion of endogenous NAD+, reduced neuronal apoptosis in the CA1 region of the hippocampus, and reversed the augmented Acp53/p53 ratio at the early stage of epileptogenesis. Our findings demonstrated that early-stage intervention with NAD+ prevents epileptogenesis in pilocarpine-induced SE mice by suppressing neuronal apoptosis.