Everything below concerns ADP-ribosylation. We keep the language plain, cite what the science says, and separate well-supported claims from open questions.
Last reviewed on 2026-05-16. Where a claim depends on a specific study, the study is described rather than over-claimed.
NAD+ is the oxidized form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, a coenzyme built from two nucleotides joined by a phosphate linkage. One nucleotide carries adenine, and the other carries nicotinamide; the plus sign denotes a formal positive charge on the nicotinamide ring, not a free proton. In cells, NAD+ and its reduced partner NADH form a reversible redox pair. That pair participates in electron transfer reactions throughout metabolism. The abbreviation NAD+ is common in biochemistry, while NAD(H) sometimes denotes the combined pool.
The molecule was first described in the early twentieth century as a factor that promoted fermentation in yeast extracts. Later work linked it to hydrogen transfer and to the oxidation of nutrients in living tissues. Its structure was resolved as a dinucleotide, which explained why it could accept and donate electrons at specific enzyme sites. Today, NAD+ is recognized as a central substrate and signaling precursor, not merely a metabolic cofactor. Whether all observed NAD+ changes reflect causal signaling remains an open question.
Related compounds include NADH, the reduced form, and NADP+, which carries an additional phosphate group. NADP+ and NADPH often serve in biosynthetic and antioxidant reactions, while NAD+ and NADH are more associated with energy-yielding catabolism. Nicotinamide, nicotinic acid, and nicotinamide riboside are precursors that can enter salvage pathways. The exact contribution of dietary precursors to tissue NAD+ pools is an area of active investigation. Some studies measure labeled precursors to trace those routes.
Measuring NAD+ in biological samples requires care because the molecule is chemically reactive and present at low concentrations in some tissues. Common approaches include enzymatic cycling assays, high-performance liquid chromatography, and liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Each method has different sensitivity and specificity, and sample preparation can affect results. Acidic or alkaline extraction steps are used in some protocols, but the choice depends on the analyte and matrix. No single method is universally optimal for every tissue or fluid.
Solid NAD+ is relatively stable when kept dry, cold, and protected from light. Aqueous solutions are more vulnerable to hydrolysis and can lose activity during repeated freeze-thaw cycles or prolonged storage at ambient temperature. Stability depends on pH, ionic strength, and the presence of degrading enzymes or metal ions. For many laboratory uses, aliquots are stored frozen and thawed only once. Exact degradation rates vary by matrix, so stability should be checked for each application rather than assumed.
Laboratory handling of NAD+ follows standard practices for hygroscopic fine chemicals. Personnel typically avoid inhalation and skin contact, use gloves and eye protection, and work in a ventilated area. Quality control may include ultraviolet absorbance at the nicotinamide maximum, chromatographic purity, water content, and identity confirmation by mass spectrometry. Because commercial preparations can contain counterions, residual solvents, or related nucleotides, a certificate of analysis helps verify the material. Researchers should confirm that the form supplied matches the intended assay.
| Property | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chemical name | Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (oxidized form) | NAD+ denotes the oxidized redox state |
| Common synonyms | Diphosphopyridine nucleotide; coenzyme I | Older names appear in historical literature |
| Molar mass | About 663.43 g/mol | Free acid value; salts and hydrates differ |
| Appearance | White to off-white powder | The purified solid is white; solutions are clear |
| Solubility | Highly soluble in water | Aqueous buffers are common laboratory solvents |
NAD+ is a dinucleotide composed of adenine, ribose, and nicotinamide moieties linked by phosphate groups. Its oxidized form carries a positive charge on the nicotinamide ring, which enables reversible hydride transfer. The molecule functions as a coenzyme in oxidoreductase reactions rather than as a dietary vitamin in its intact form. Cells maintain separate pools in cytoplasm, mitochondria, and nucleus. This compartmentalization allows distinct redox environments while preserving a shared chemical identity.
In glycolysis, NAD+ accepts electrons during the oxidation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, forming NADH. The tricarboxylic acid cycle and fatty acid oxidation also generate NADH, which donates electrons to the mitochondrial electron transport chain. This flow supports ATP synthesis and helps maintain the redox balance of the cell. Other dehydrogenases use NAD+ as a cofactor for biosynthetic reductions and detoxification reactions. NADH is later reoxidized to sustain continued flux through these pathways.
Measuring NAD+ in biological samples requires rapid processing because the compound can degrade or interconvert after collection. Common approaches include enzymatic cycling assays, high-performance liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry. Each method has different sensitivity, specificity, and susceptibility to interference from related nucleotides. Sample type matters: cultured cells, animal tissues, and human blood present distinct challenges. Reported values can vary widely across laboratories because of differences in extraction, normalization, and analytical platform. Standardization remains an open issue in the field.
NAD+ is relatively unstable in aqueous solution, especially at neutral or alkaline pH and at elevated temperatures. It is typically stored dry, protected from light and moisture, and kept cold or frozen for long-term use. Solutions are often prepared fresh or buffered to mildly acidic pH to slow hydrolysis. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles can reduce integrity. Laboratories may verify concentration using ultraviolet absorbance at 259 nm or by enzymatic assay. These handling practices are general laboratory conventions rather than universal rules.
In May 1945, following its defeat in World War II, Germany was occupied by the United States, Britain, France and the Soviet Union. All four occupation powers reorganised the territories by recreating the Länder (states), the constituting parts of federal Germany. The state of Prussia, whose provinces extended to all four zones and covered two thirds of Germany, was abolished in 1947. Special conditions were assigned to Berlin, which the four powers divided into four sectors. A united German state government existed in the city until it broke apart in 1948. After 1949, both West Berlin and East Berlin (officially only called Berlin) were in effect incorporated into the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic, respectively, despite not legally being part of these countries.
Resistin, also known as adipose tissue-specific secretory factor (ADSF) or C/EBP-epsilon-regulated myeloid-specific secreted cysteine-rich protein (XCP1), is a cysteine-rich peptide hormone that is derived from adipose tissue and, in humans, is encoded by the RETN gene. In primates, pigs, and dogs, resistin is secreted primarily by immune and epithelial cells, whereas in rodents, it is mainly secreted by adipose tissue. The human resistin pre-peptide consists of 108 amino acid residues, while in mice and rats it is 114 amino acids in length; the molecular weight is approximately 12.5 kDa. Resistin is classified as an adipose-derived hormone (similar to a cytokine), and its physiological role has been widely debated, particularly regarding its involvement in obesity and type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
==== Wooden chest syndrome ==== A prominent idiosyncratic adverse effect of fentanyl also includes a sudden onset of rigidity of the abdominal muscles and the diaphragm, which induces respiratory failure; this is seen with high doses and is known as wooden chest syndrome. The syndrome may be a significant and previously unreported cause of death as a result of fentanyl overdoses. Wooden chest syndrome is reversed by naloxone and is believed to be caused by a release of noradrenaline, which activates α-adrenergic receptors and also possibly via activation of cholinergic receptors. Wooden chest syndrome is unique to the most powerful opioids—which today comprise fentanyl and its analogs—while other less-powerful opioids like heroin produce mild rigidity of the respiratory muscles to a much lesser degree.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
=== Development === The main function of fibroblasts is to maintain the structural integrity of connective tissues by continuously secreting precursors of the extracellular matrix (ECM), providing all such components, primarily the ground substance and a variety of fibers. The composition of the ECM determines the physical properties of connective tissues. Like other cells of connective tissue, fibroblasts are derived from primitive mesenchyme. Hence, they express the intermediate filament protein vimentin, a feature used as a marker to distinguish their mesodermal origin. However, this test is not specific as epithelial cells cultured in vitro on adherent substratum may also express vimentin after some time. In certain situations, epithelial cells can give rise to fibroblasts, a process called epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Conversely, fibroblasts in some situations may give rise to epithelia by undergoing a mesenchymal to epithelial transition and organizing into a condensed, polarized, laterally connected true epithelial sheet. This process is seen in many developmental situations (e.g. nephron and notocord development), as well as in wound healing and tumorigenesis.
=== Interactions with IgG and serum albumin === In addition to binding to IgG, FCGRT has been shown to interact with human serum albumin. FcRn-mediated transcytosis of IgG across epithelial cells is possible because FcRn binds IgG at acidic pH (<6.5) but not at neutral or higher pH. The binding site for FcRn on IgG has been mapped using functional and structural studies, and involves in the interaction of relatively well conserved histidine residues on IgG with acidic residues on FcRn.
== History == Secukinumab was discovered and developed by Novartis using developmental name AIN457, and the first publication was a Phase I trial published in 2010. In January 2015, secukinumab was approved in the United States and in the European Union to treat adults with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. It is the first IL17A inhibiting drug ever approved. In January 2016, the FDA approved it to treat adults with ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriatic arthritis and in February 2018, a label update was approved to include the treatment for moderate-to-severe scalp psoriasis.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
Most reptiles are insectivorous or carnivorous and have simple and comparatively short digestive tracts due to meat being fairly simple to break down and digest. Digestion is slower than in mammals, reflecting their lower resting metabolism and their inability to divide and masticate their food. Their poikilotherm metabolism has very low energy requirements, allowing large reptiles like crocodiles and large constrictors to live from a single large meal for months, digesting it slowly. While modern reptiles are predominantly carnivorous, during the early history of reptiles several groups produced some herbivorous megafauna: in the Paleozoic, the pareiasaurs; and in the Mesozoic several lines of dinosaurs. Today, turtles are the only predominantly herbivorous reptile group, but several lines of agamas and iguanas have evolved to live wholly or partly on plants. Herbivorous reptiles face the same problems of mastication as herbivorous mammals but, lacking the complex teeth of mammals, many species swallow rocks and pebbles (so called gastroliths) to aid in digestion: The rocks are washed around in the stomach, helping to grind up plant matter. Fossil gastroliths have been found associated with both ornithopods and sauropods, though whether they actually functioned as a gastric mill in the latter is disputed. Salt water crocodiles also use gastroliths as ballast, stabilizing them in the water or helping them to dive. A dual function as both stabilizing ballast and digestion aid has been suggested for gastroliths found in plesiosaurs.
== Clinical significance == The insulin oscillations are particularly pronounced in the portal vein delivering blood from the pancreas to the liver, which is a major insulin target. Disturbances of the insulin oscillations occur early in type 2 diabetes and may contribute to insulin resistance. Pulsatile insulin delivery to the portal vein or islet cell transplantation to the liver of diabetic patients are therefore attractive therapeutic alternatives.
=== Isomers === The term "dehydroepiandrosterone" is ambiguous chemically because it does not include the specific positions within epiandrosterone at which hydrogen atoms are missing. DHEA itself is 5,6-didehydroepiandrosterone or 5-dehydroepiandrosterone. A number of naturally occurring isomers also exist and may have similar activities. Some isomers of DHEA are 1-dehydroepiandrosterone (1-androsterone) and 4-dehydroepiandrosterone. These isomers are also technically "DHEA," since they are dehydroepiandrosterones in which hydrogens are removed from the epiandrosterone skeleton. Dehydroandrosterone (DHA) is the 3α-epimer of DHEA and is also an endogenous androgen.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org
It indicates a formal positive charge on the nicotinamide ring. The molecule is not simply a protonated acid, and the charge is part of its redox chemistry.
NAD+ is the oxidized form, while NADH is the reduced form carrying two additional electrons and a proton. The two forms interconvert in many metabolic reactions.
No. NADP+ contains an extra phosphate group on the adenine ribose. NADP+ and NADPH tend to participate in different biosynthetic and antioxidant pathways.
Common laboratory methods include enzymatic cycling, high-performance liquid chromatography, and liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry. The choice depends on sample type, expected concentration, and available equipment.