Title:Small Molecule Regulators Targeting NAD+ Biosynthetic Enzymes
Volume: 29
Issue: 10
Author(s): Alyson Curry, Dawanna White and Yana Cen*
Affiliation:
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23219, USA
- Institute for Structural Biology, Drug Discovery and Development, Virginia Commonwealth University,
Richmond, VA 23219, USA
Keywords:
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD +), metabolic pathways, electrons, redox reactions, enzymatic transformations, therapeutic potentials.
Abstract: Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is a key player in many metabolic
pathways as an activated carrier of electrons. In addition to being the cofactor for redox reactions,
NAD+ also serves as the substrate for various enzymatic transformations such as
adenylation and ADP-ribosylation. Maintaining cellular NAD+ homeostasis has been suggested
as an effective anti-aging strategy. Given the importance of NAD+ in regulating a
broad spectrum of cellular events, small molecules targeting NAD+ metabolism have been
pursued as therapeutic interventions for the treatment of mitochondrial disorders and agerelated
diseases. In this article, small molecule regulators of NAD+ biosynthetic enzymes
will be reviewed. The focus will be given to the discovery and development of these molecules,
the mechanism of action as well as their therapeutic potentials.