NAD+: Scientific Profile

Publicado el 28 de diciembre de 2025 · Actualizado el 18 de septiembre de 2026

NAD+ (beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, oxidized form; CAS 53-84-9). Pyridine dinucleotide coenzyme and redox cofactor; co-substrate of sirtuins, PARPs and CD38. For research.

NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide in its oxidized form; English name Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide; CAS 53-84-9) is an essential coenzyme present in all living cells. With molecular formula C21H27N7O14P2 and an approximate molecular weight of 663.43 g/mol, it is made up of two nucleotides joined through their phosphate groups: one with an adenine base and the other with nicotinamide. NAD+ is one of the most studied molecules in cellular metabolism because of its central role as an electron carrier and as a substrate for a broad family of regulatory enzymes.

From a biochemical standpoint, NAD+ operates mainly through its NAD+/NADH redox pair. In its oxidized form (NAD+) it accepts a hydride ion to become NADH, and this reversible interconversion is the axis of the oxidation-reduction reactions of intermediary metabolism. The molecule acts as a cofactor in glycolysis, in fatty-acid oxidation, in the tricarboxylic acid cycle (Krebs cycle), and in the mitochondrial electron transport chain, where NADH yields its electrons for ATP synthesis through oxidative phosphorylation. For this reason, the redox state of NAD+ is considered an integrated indicator of the cell's energy state.

Beyond its redox function, NAD+ acts as a consumable substrate for three enzyme families of great interest in research. The sirtuins (SIRT1 to SIRT7) are NAD+-dependent deacetylases and ADP-ribosyltransferases involved in the regulation of gene expression, mitochondrial biogenesis, and responses to metabolic stress. The poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARP) use NAD+ in DNA damage and repair signaling. The enzyme CD38, among other ADP-ribosyl cyclases, consumes NAD+ in the generation of calcium second messengers. Because of this consumption, NAD+ availability is regulated by biosynthesis and salvage pathways from precursors such as nicotinamide, nicotinamide riboside, and nicotinamide mononucleotide.

In the research setting, NAD+ and its precursors are used as tools for studying mitochondrial energy metabolism, sirtuin biology, DNA repair, and cellular aging models, where an age-associated decline in NAD+ levels has been documented in various tissues of experimental models. It is a reference reagent in redox enzyme assays and in the study of the biosynthesis and consumption pathways of the dinucleotide itself.

NAD+ is supplied as a lyophilized powder for reconstitution. Because it is a sensitive molecule, frozen storage protected from light and moisture is recommended, along with reconstitution using the sterile diluent indicated in the protocol just before use, avoiding repeated freeze-thaw cycles. This product is offered exclusively as a research reagent (research use only): it is not intended for the diagnosis, prevention or treatment of any disease, nor for human or veterinary consumption.