NAD Metabolism and Functions: A Common Therapeutic Target for Neoplastic, Metabolic and Neurodegenerative Diseases

Title:NAD Metabolism and Functions: A Common Therapeutic Target for Neoplastic, Metabolic and Neurodegenerative Diseases

Volume: 13 Issue: 23

Author(s): Giuseppina Di Stefano, Marcella Manerba and Marina Vettraino

Affiliation:

Keywords: Age-related diseases, cancer, energy metabolism, pyridine nucleotides, redox balance, redox-mediated signalling.

Abstract: In recent years the study of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) biochemistry has been the focus of attention for many researchers. Although the role of NAD in cellular metabolism and in redox reactions had been recognized for over a century, it was also during these recent studies that the precise identification of all NAD biosynthetic routes was achieved and that the variety of NAD controlled cellular processes began to emerge. Being vital not only for energy transduction, but also for intracellular signaling pathways, this pyridine nucleotide can be considered the most important link between energetic and regulatory processes. The control of such important events suggested NAD as a possible therapeutic target for the control of different pathological states, including metabolic disorders and neoplastic transformation. This review briefly summarizes the recent advances achieved in this field.

Cite this article as:

Stefano Di Giuseppina, Manerba Marcella and Vettraino Marina, NAD Metabolism and Functions: A Common Therapeutic Target for Neoplastic, Metabolic and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry 2013; 13 (23) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/15680266113136660207