Insight into molecular and functional properties of NMNAT3 reveals new hints of NAD homeostasis within human mitochondria

Human Conjunctival Transcriptome in Acanthamoeba Keratitis: An Exploratory Study

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to identify conjunctival transcriptome differences in patients with Acanthamoeba keratitis compared with keratitis with no known associated pathogen.

METHODS

The host conjunctival transcriptome of 9 patients with Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is compared with the host conjunctival transcriptome of 13 patients with pathogen-free keratitis. Culture and/or confocal confirmed Acanthamoeba in 8 of 9 participants with AK who underwent metagenomic RNA sequencing as the likely pathogen. Cultures were negative in all 13 cases where metagenomic RNA sequencing did not identify a pathogen.

RESULTS

Transcriptome analysis identified 36 genes differently expressed between patients with AK and patients with presumed sterile, or pathogen-free, keratitis. Gene enrichment analysis revealed that some of these genes participate in several biologic pathways important for cellular signaling, ion transport and homeostasis, glucose transport, and mitochondrial metabolism. Notable relatively differentially expressed genes with potential relevance to Acanthamoeba infection included CPS1, SLC35B4, STEAP2, ATP2B2, NMNAT3, and AKAP12.

CONCLUSIONS

This research suggests that the local transcriptome in Acanthamoeba keratitis may be sufficiently robust to be detected in the conjunctiva and that corneas infected with Acanthamoeba may be distinguished from the inflamed cornea where no pathogen was identified. Given the low sensitivity for corneal cultures, identification of differentially expressed genes may serve as a suggestive transcriptional signature allowing for a complementary diagnostic technique to identify this blinding parasite. Knowledge of differentially expressed genes may also direct investigation of disease pathophysiology and suggest novel pathways for therapeutic targets.

Brain energy metabolism: A roadmap for future research

Although we have learned much about how the brain fuels its functions over the last decades, there remains much still to discover in an organ that is so complex. This article lays out major gaps in our knowledge of interrelationships between brain metabolism and brain function, including biochemical, cellular, and subcellular aspects of functional metabolism and its imaging in adult brain, as well as during development, aging, and disease. The focus is on unknowns in metabolism of major brain substrates and associated transporters, the roles of insulin and of lipid droplets, the emerging role of metabolism in microglia, mysteries about the major brain cofactor and signaling molecule NAD+, as well as unsolved problems underlying brain metabolism in pathologies such as traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, and metabolic downregulation during hibernation. It describes our current level of understanding of these facets of brain energy metabolism as well as a roadmap for future research.

Neuroprotection in glaucoma: Mechanisms beyond intraocular pressure lowering

Glaucoma is a common, complex, multifactorial neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive dysfunction and then loss of retinal ganglion cells, the output neurons of the retina. Glaucoma is the most common cause of irreversible blindness and affects ∼80 million people worldwide with many more undiagnosed. The major risk factors for glaucoma are genetics, age, and elevated intraocular pressure. Current strategies only target intraocular pressure management and do not directly target the neurodegenerative processes occurring at the level of the retinal ganglion cell. Despite strategies to manage intraocular pressure, as many as 40% of glaucoma patients progress to blindness in at least one eye during their lifetime. As such, neuroprotective strategies that target the retinal ganglion cell and these neurodegenerative processes directly are of great therapeutic need. This review will cover the recent advances from basic biology to on-going clinical trials for neuroprotection in glaucoma covering degenerative mechanisms, metabolism, insulin signaling, mTOR, axon transport, apoptosis, autophagy, and neuroinflammation. With an increased understanding of both the basic and clinical mechanisms of the disease, we are closer than ever to a neuroprotective strategy for glaucoma.

NAD salvage pathway machinery expression in normal and glaucomatous retina and optic nerve

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness and is a major health and economic burden. Current treatments do not address the neurodegenerative component of glaucoma. In animal models of glaucoma, the capacity to maintain retinal nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) pools declines early during disease pathogenesis. Treatment with nicotinamide, an NAD precursor through the NAD salvage pathway, robustly protects against neurodegeneration in a number of glaucoma models and improves vision in existing glaucoma patients. However, it remains unknown in humans what retinal cell types are able to process nicotinamide to NAD and how these are affected in glaucoma. To address this, we utilized publicly available RNA-sequencing data (bulk, single cell, and single nucleus) and antibody labelling in highly preserved enucleated human eyes to identify expression of NAD synthesizing enzyme machinery. This identifies that the neural retina favors expression of the NAD salvage pathway, and that retinal ganglion cells are particularly enriched for these enzymes. NMNAT2, a key terminal enzyme in the salvage pathway, is predominantly expressed in retinal ganglion cell relevant layers of the retina and declines in glaucoma. These findings suggest that human retinal ganglion cells can directly utilize nicotinamide and could maintain a capacity to do so in glaucoma, showing promise for ongoing clinical trials.

Balancing NAD+ deficits with nicotinamide riboside: therapeutic possibilities and limitations

Alterations in cellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) levels have been observed in multiple lifestyle and age-related medical conditions. This has led to the hypothesis that dietary supplementation with NAD+ precursors, or vitamin B3s, could exert health benefits. Among the different molecules that can act as NAD+ precursors, Nicotinamide Riboside (NR) has gained most attention due to its success in alleviating and treating disease conditions at the pre-clinical level. However, the clinical outcomes for NR supplementation strategies have not yet met the expectations generated in mouse models. In this review we aim to provide a comprehensive view on NAD+ biology, what causes NAD+ deficits and the journey of NR from its discovery to its clinical development. We also discuss what are the current limitations in NR-based therapies and potential ways to overcome them. Overall, this review will not only provide tools to understand NAD+ biology and assess its changes in disease situations, but also to decide which NAD+ precursor could have the best therapeutic potential.

Overexpression of NMNAT3 improves mitochondrial function and enhances anti-oxidative stress of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells via the NAD+-Sirt3 pathway

Oxidative stress damage is a common problem in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC) transplantation. Under stress conditions, the mitochondrial function of BMSCs is disrupted, which accelerates senescence and apoptosis of BMSCs, ultimately leading to poor efficacy. Therefore, improving mitochondrial function and enhancing the anti-oxidative stress capacity of BMSCs may be an effective way of improving the survival rate and curative effect of BMSCs. In this study, we have confirmed that overexpression of nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyl transferase 3 (NMNAT3) improves mitochondrial function and resistance to stress-induced apoptosis in BMSCs. We further revealed the mechanism of NMNAT3-mediated resistance to stress-induced apoptosis in BMSCs. We increased the level of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) by overexpressing NMNAT3 in BMSCs and found that it could significantly increase the activity of silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 3 (Sirt3) and significantly decrease the acetylation levels of Sirt3-dependent deacetylation-related proteins isocitrate dehydrogenase 2 (Idh2) and Forkhead-box protein O3a (FOXO3a). These findings show that NMNAT3 may increase the activity of Sirt3 by increasing NAD+ levels. Our results confirm that the NMNAT3-NAD+-Sirt3 axis is a potential mechanism for improving mitochondrial function and enhancing anti-oxidative stress of BMSCs. In this study, we take advantage of the role of NMNAT3 in inhibiting stress-induced apoptosis of BMSCs and provide new methods and ideas for breaking through the bottleneck of transplantation efficacy of BMSCs in the clinic.

The role of protein acetylation in regulating mitochondrial fusion and fission

The dynamic processes of mitochondrial fusion and fission determine the shape of mitochondria, which can range from individual fragments to a hyperfused network, and influence mitochondrial function. Changes in mitochondrial shape can occur rapidly, allowing mitochondria to adapt to specific cues and changing cellular demands. Here, we will review what is known about how key proteins required for mitochondrial fusion and fission are regulated by their acetylation status, with acetylation promoting fission and deacetylation enhancing fusion. In particular, we will examine the roles of NAD+ dependant sirtuin deacetylases, which mediate mitochondrial acetylation, and how this post-translational modification provides an exquisite regulatory mechanism to co-ordinate mitochondrial function with metabolic demands of the cell.

The key role of the NAD biosynthetic enzyme nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase in regulating cell functions

The enzyme nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase (NMNAT) catalyzes a reaction central to all known NAD biosynthetic routes. In mammals, three isoforms with distinct molecular and catalytic properties, different subcellular and tissue distribution have been characterized. Each isoform is essential for cell survival, with a critical role in modulating NAD levels in a compartment‐specific manner. Each isoform supplies NAD to specific NAD‐dependent enzymes, thus regulating their activity with impact on several biological processes, including DNA repair, proteostasis, cell differentiation, and neuronal maintenance. The nuclear NMNAT1 and the cytoplasmic NMNAT2 are also emerging as relevant targets in specific types of cancers and NMNAT2 has a key role in the activation of antineoplastic compounds. This review recapitulates the biochemical properties of the three isoforms and focuses on recent advances on their protective function, involvement in human diseases and role as druggable targets.

Maestro of the SereNADe: SLC25A51 Orchestrates Mitochondrial NAD. Trends Biochem Sci 2021;46:348-350. [PMID: 33618948 PMCID: PMC8344040 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibs.2021.02.001]

Recently, three groups, Girardi et al., Kory et al., and Luongo et al., independently identified solute carrier (SLC) 25A51 as the long-sought, major mitochondrial NAD⁺ transporter in mammalian cells. These studies not only deorphan an uncharacterized transporter of the SLC25A family, but also shed light on other aspects of NAD⁺ biology.

Mitochondrial translation deficiency impairs NAD+ -mediated lysosomal acidification

Mitochondrial translation dysfunction is associated with neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. Cells eliminate defective mitochondria by the lysosomal machinery via autophagy. The relationship between mitochondrial translation and lysosomal function is unknown. In this study, mitochondrial translation‐deficient hearts from p32‐knockout mice were found to exhibit enlarged lysosomes containing lipofuscin, suggesting impaired lysosome and autolysosome function. These mice also displayed autophagic abnormalities, such as p62 accumulation and LC3 localization around broken mitochondria. The expression of genes encoding for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) biosynthetic enzymes—Nmnat3 and Nampt—and NAD⁺ levels were decreased, suggesting that NAD⁺ is essential for maintaining lysosomal acidification. Conversely, nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) administration or Nmnat3 overexpression rescued lysosomal acidification. Nmnat3 gene expression is suppressed by HIF1α, a transcription factor that is stabilized by mitochondrial translation dysfunction, suggesting that HIF1α‐Nmnat3‐mediated NAD⁺ production is important for lysosomal function. The glycolytic enzymes GAPDH and PGK1 were found associated with lysosomal vesicles, and NAD⁺ was required for ATP production around lysosomal vesicles. Thus, we conclude that NAD⁺ content affected by mitochondrial dysfunction is essential for lysosomal maintenance.

Mono(ADP-ribosyl)ation Enzymes and NAD+ Metabolism: A Focus on Diseases and Therapeutic Perspectives

Mono(ADP-ribose) transferases and mono(ADP-ribosyl)ating sirtuins use NAD⁺ to perform the mono(ADP-ribosyl)ation, a simple form of post-translational modification of proteins and, in some cases, of nucleic acids. The availability of NAD⁺ is a limiting step and an essential requisite for NAD⁺ consuming enzymes. The synthesis and degradation of NAD⁺, as well as the transport of its key intermediates among cell compartments, play a vital role in the maintenance of optimal NAD⁺ levels, which are essential for the regulation of NAD⁺-utilizing enzymes. In this review, we provide an overview of the current knowledge of NAD⁺ metabolism, highlighting the functional liaison with mono(ADP-ribosyl)ating enzymes, such as the well-known ARTD10 (also named PARP10), SIRT6, and SIRT7. To this aim, we discuss the link of these enzymes with NAD⁺ metabolism and chronic diseases, such as cancer, degenerative disorders and aging.

Location, Location, Location: Compartmentalization of NAD+ Synthesis and Functions in Mammalian Cells

The numerous biological roles of NAD⁺ are organized and coordinated via its compartmentalization within cells. The spatial and temporal partitioning of this intermediary metabolite is intrinsic to understanding the impact of NAD⁺ on cellular signaling and metabolism. We review evidence supporting the compartmentalization of steady-state NAD⁺ levels in cells, as well as how the modulation of NAD⁺ synthesis dynamically regulates signaling by controlling subcellular NAD⁺ concentrations. We further discuss potential benefits to the cell of compartmentalizing NAD⁺, and methods for measuring subcellular NAD⁺ levels.

NAD+ homeostasis in health and disease

The conceptual evolution of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) from being seen as a simple metabolic cofactor to a pivotal cosubstrate for proteins regulating metabolism and longevity, including the sirtuin family of protein deacylases, has led to a new wave of scientific interest in NAD⁺. NAD⁺ levels decline during ageing, and alterations in NAD⁺ homeostasis can be found in virtually all age-related diseases, including neurodegeneration, diabetes and cancer. In preclinical settings, various strategies to increase NAD⁺ levels have shown beneficial effects, thus starting a competitive race to discover marketable NAD⁺ boosters to improve healthspan and lifespan. Here, we review the basics of NAD⁺ biochemistry and metabolism, and its roles in health and disease, and we discuss current challenges and the future translational potential of NAD⁺ research.

Subcellular Characterization of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Biosynthesis in Metastatic Melanoma by Using Organelle-Specific Biosensors

Aim: Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) plays central roles in a wide array of normal and pathological conditions. Inhibition of NAD⁺ biosynthesis can be exploited therapeutically in cancer, including melanoma. To obtain quantitation of NAD⁺ levels in live cells and to address the issue of the compartmentalization of NAD⁺ biosynthesis, we exploited a recently described genetically encoded NAD⁺ biosensor (LigA-circularly permutated Venus), which was targeted to the cytosol, mitochondria, and nuclei of BRAF-V600E A375 melanoma cells, a model of metastatic melanoma (MM). Results: FK866, a specific inhibitor of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), the main NAD⁺-producing enzyme in MM cells, was used to monitor NAD⁺ depletion kinetics at the subcellular level in biosensor-transduced A375 cells. In addition, we treated FK866-blocked A375 cells with NAD⁺ precursors, including nicotinamide, nicotinic acid, nicotinamide riboside, and quinolinic acid, highlighting an organelle-specific capacity of each substrate to rescue from NAMPT block. Expression of NAD⁺ biosynthetic enzymes was then biochemically studied in isolated organelles, revealing the presence of NAMPT in all three cellular compartments, whereas nicotinate phosphoribosyltransferase was predominantly cytosolic and mitochondrial, and nicotinamide riboside kinase mitochondrial and nuclear. In keeping with biosensor data, quinolinate phosphoribosyltransferase was expressed at extremely low levels. Innovation and Conclusions: Throughout this work, we validated the use of genetically encoded NAD⁺ biosensors to characterize subcellular distribution of NAD⁺ production routes in MM. The chance of real-time monitoring of NAD⁺ fluctuations after chemical perturbations, together with a deeper comprehension of the cofactor biosynthesis compartmentalization, strengthens the foundation for a targeted strategy of NAD⁺ pool manipulation in cancer and metabolic diseases.

Subcellular NAMPT-mediated NAD+ salvage pathways and their roles in bioenergetics and neuronal protection after ischemic injury

NAD⁺ is a cofactor required for glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and complex I enzymatic reaction. In mammalian cells, NAD⁺ is predominantly synthesized through the salvage pathway, where nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT) is the rate-limiting enzyme. Previously, we demonstrated that NAMPT exerts a neuroprotective effect in ischemia through the suppression of mitochondrial dysfunction. Mammalian cells maintain distinct NAD⁺ pools in the cytosol, mitochondria, and nuclei. However, it is unknown whether mitochondria have an intact machinery for NAD⁺ salvage, and if so, whether it plays a dominant role in bioenergetics, mitochondrial function, and neuronal protection after ischemia. Here, using mouse primary cortical neuron and cortical tissue preparations, and multiple technologies including cytosolic and mitochondrial subfractionation, viral over-expression of transgenes, molecular biology, and confocal microscopy, we provided compelling evidence that neuronal mitochondria possess an intact machinery of NAMPT-mediated NAD⁺ salvage pathway, and that NAMPT and nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 3 (NMNAT3) are localized in the mitochondrial matrix. By knocking down NMNAT1-3 and NAMPT with siRNA, we found that NMNAT3 has a larger effect on basal and ATP production-related mitochondrial respiration than NMNAT1-2 in primary cultured neurons, while NMNAT1-2 have a larger effect on glycolytic flux than NMNAT3. Using an oxygen glucose deprivation model, we found that mitochondrial, cytoplasmic, and non-subcellular compartmental over-expressions of NAMPT have a comparable effect on neuronal protection and suppression of apoptosis-inducing factor translocation. The current study provides novel insights into the roles of subcellular compartmental NAD⁺ salvage pathways in NAD⁺ homeostasis, bioenergetics, and neuronal protection in ischemic conditions.

Cellular Compartmentation and the Redox/Nonredox Functions of NAD. Antioxid Redox Signal 2019;31:623-642. [PMID: 30784294 PMCID: PMC6657305 DOI: 10.1089/ars.2018.7722]

Significance: Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) spans diverse roles in biology, serving as both an important redox cofactor in metabolism and a substrate for signaling enzymes that regulate protein post-translational modifications (PTMs). Critical Issues: Although the interactions between these different roles of NAD⁺ (and its reduced form NADH) have been considered, little attention has been paid to the role of compartmentation in these processes. Specifically, the role of NAD⁺ in metabolism is compartment specific (e.g., mitochondrial vs. cytosolic), affording a very different redox landscape for PTM-modulating enzymes such as sirtuins and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases in different cell compartments. In addition, the orders of magnitude differences in expression levels between NAD⁺-dependent enzymes are often not considered when assuming the effects of bulk changes in NAD⁺ levels on their relative activities. Recent Advances: In this review, we discuss the metabolic, nonmetabolic, redox, and enzyme substrate roles of cellular NAD⁺, and the recent discoveries regarding the interplay between these roles in different cell compartments. Future Directions: Therapeutic implications for the compartmentation and manipulation of NAD⁺ biology are discussed. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 31, 623-642.

A Pilot Study Investigating Changes in the Human Plasma and Urine NAD+ Metabolome During a 6 Hour Intravenous Infusion of NAD

Accumulating evidence suggests that active maintenance of optimal levels of the essential pyridine nucleotide, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is beneficial in conditions of either increased NAD+ turnover or inadequate synthesis, including Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders and the aging process. While studies have documented the efficacy of some NAD+ precursors such as nicotinamide riboside (NR) in raising plasma NAD+, no data are currently available on the fate of directly infused NAD+ in a human cohort. This study, therefore, documented changes in plasma and urine levels of NAD+ and its metabolites during and after a 6 h 3 μmol/min NAD+ intravenous (IV) infusion. Surprisingly, no change in plasma (NAD+) or metabolites [nicotinamide, methylnicotinamide, adenosine phosphoribose ribose (ADPR) and nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)] were observed until after 2 h. Increased urinary excretion of methylnicotinamide and NAD+ were detected at 6 h, however, no significant rise in urinary nicotinamide was observed. This study revealed for the first time that: (i) at an infusion rate of 3 μmol/min NAD+ is rapidly and completely removed from the plasma for at least the first 2 h; (ii) the profile of metabolites is consistent with NAD+ glycohydrolase and NAD+ pyrophosphatase activity; and (iii) urinary excretion products arising from an NAD+ infusion include NAD+ itself and methyl nicotinamide (meNAM) but not NAM.

Regulation of Glucose Metabolism by NAD+ and ADP-Ribosylation

Cells constantly adapt their metabolic pathways to meet their energy needs and respond to nutrient availability. During the last two decades, it has become increasingly clear that NAD⁺, a coenzyme in redox reactions, also mediates several ubiquitous cell signaling processes. Protein ADP-ribosylation is a post-translational modification that uses NAD⁺ as a substrate and is best known as part of the genotoxic stress response. However, there is increasing evidence that NAD⁺-dependent ADP-ribosylation regulates other cellular processes, including metabolic pathways. In this review, we will describe the compartmentalized regulation of NAD⁺ biosynthesis, consumption, and regeneration with a particular focus on the role of ADP-ribosylation in the regulation of glucose metabolism in different cellular compartments.

Subcellular compartmentalization of NAD+ and its role in cancer: A sereNADe of metabolic melodies

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is an essential biomolecule involved in many critical processes. Its role as both a driver of energy production and a signaling molecule underscores its importance in health and disease. NAD+ signaling impacts multiple processes that are dysregulated in cancer, including DNA repair, cell proliferation, differentiation, redox regulation, and oxidative stress. Distribution of NAD+ is highly compartmentalized, with each subcellular NAD+ pool differentially regulated and preferentially involved in distinct NAD+-dependent signaling or metabolic events. Emerging evidence suggests that targeting NAD+ metabolism is likely to repress many specific mechanisms underlying tumor development and progression, including proliferation, survival, metabolic adaptations, invasive capabilities, heterotypic interactions with the tumor microenvironment, and stress response including notably DNA maintenance and repair. Here we provide a comprehensive overview of how compartmentalized NAD+ metabolism in mitochondria, nucleus, cytosol, and extracellular space impacts cancer formation and progression, along with a discussion of the therapeutic potential of NAD+-targeting drugs in cancer.

NAMPT as a Dedifferentiation-Inducer Gene: NAD+ as Core Axis for Glioma Cancer Stem-Like Cells Maintenance

Glioma Cancer Stem-Like Cells (GSCs) are a small subset of CD133⁺ cells with self-renewal properties and capable of initiating new tumors contributing to Glioma progression, maintenance, hierarchy, and complexity. GSCs are highly resistant to chemo and radiotherapy. These cells are believed to be responsible for tumor relapses and patients' fatal outcome after developing a recurrent Glioblastoma (GBM) or High Grade Glioma (HGG). GSCs are cells under replicative stress with high demands on NAD⁺ supply to repair DNA, maintain self-renewal capacity and to induce tumor plasticity. NAD⁺ feeds Poly-ADP polymerases (PARP) and NAD⁺-dependent deacetylases (SIRTUINS) contributing to GSC phenotype. This energetic core axis is mainly controlled by the rate-limiting enzyme nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), an important oncogene contributing to tumor dedifferentiation. Targeting GSCs depicts a new frontier in Glioma therapy; hence NAMPT could represent a key regulator for GSCs maintenance. Its inhibition may attenuate GSCs properties by decreasing NAD⁺ supply, consequently contributing to a better outcome together with current therapies for Glioma control.

Flow Cytometry Analysis of Free Intracellular NAD+ Using a Targeted Biosensor

Flow cytometry approaches combined with a genetically encoded targeted fluorescent biosensor are used to determine the subcellular compartmental availability of the oxidized form of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺ ). The availability of free NAD⁺ can affect the activities of NAD⁺ -consuming enzymes such as sirtuin, PARP/ARTD, and cyclic ADPR-hydrolase family members. Many methods for measuring the NAD⁺ available to these enzymes are limited because they cannot determine free NAD⁺ as it exists in various subcellular compartments distinctly from bound NAD⁺ or NADH. Here, an approach to express the sensor in mammalian cells, monitor NAD⁺ -dependent fluorescence intensity changes using flow cytometry approaches, and analyze data obtained is described. The benefit of flow cytometry approaches with the NAD⁺ sensor is the ability to monitor compartmentalized free NAD⁺ fluctuations simultaneously within many cells, which greatly facilitates analyses and calibration. © 2018 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

NAD metabolism: Implications in aging and longevity

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is an important co-factor involved in numerous physiological processes, including metabolism, post-translational protein modification, and DNA repair. In living organisms, a careful balance between NAD production and degradation serves to regulate NAD levels. Recently, a number of studies have demonstrated that NAD levels decrease with age, and the deterioration of NAD metabolism promotes several aging-associated diseases, including metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases and various cancers. Conversely, the upregulation of NAD metabolism, including dietary supplementation with NAD precursors, has been shown to prevent the decline of NAD and exhibits beneficial effects against aging and aging-associated diseases. In addition, many studies have demonstrated that genetic and/or nutritional activation of NAD metabolism can extend the lifespan of diverse organisms. Collectively, it is clear that NAD metabolism plays important roles in aging and longevity. In this review, we summarize the basic functions of the enzymes involved in NAD synthesis and degradation, as well as the outcomes of their dysregulation in various aging processes. In addition, a particular focus is given on the role of NAD metabolism in the longevity of various organisms, with a discussion of the remaining obstacles in this research field.

Interplay between NAD+ and acetyl‑CoA metabolism in ischemia-induced mitochondrial pathophysiology

Brain injury caused by ischemic insult due to significant reduction or interruption in cerebral blood flow leads to disruption of practically all cellular metabolic pathways. This triggers a complex stress response followed by overstimulation of downstream enzymatic pathways due to massive activation of post-translational modifications (PTM). Mitochondria are one of the most sensitive organelle to ischemic conditions. They become dysfunctional due to extensive fragmentation, inhibition of acetyl‑CoA production, and increased activity of NAD⁺ consuming enzymes. These pathologic conditions ultimately lead to inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial ATP production. Both acetyl‑CoA and NAD⁺ are essential intermediates in cellular bioenergetics metabolism and also serve as substrates for post-translational modifications such as acetylation and ADP‑ribosylation. In this review we discuss ischemia/reperfusion-induced changes in NAD⁺ and acetyl‑CoA metabolism, how these affect relevant PTMs, and therapeutic approaches that restore the physiological levels of these metabolites leading to promising neuroprotection.

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Metabolism and Neurodegeneration

SIGNIFICANCE

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) participates in redox reactions and NAD+-dependent signaling processes, which involve the cleavage of NAD+ coupled to posttranslational modifications of proteins or the production of second messengers. Either as a primary cause or as a secondary component of the pathogenic process, mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress are prominent features of several neurodegenerative diseases. Activation of NAD+-dependent signaling pathways has a major effect in the capacity of the cell to modulate mitochondrial function and counteract the deleterious effects of increased oxidative stress. Recent Advances: Progress in the understanding of the biological functions and compartmentalization of NAD+-synthesizing and NAD+-consuming enzymes have led to the emergence of NAD+ metabolism as a major therapeutic target for age-related diseases.

CRITICAL ISSUES

Three distinct families of enzymes consume NAD+ as substrate: poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs), ADP-ribosyl cyclases (CD38/CD157) and sirtuins. Two main strategies to increase NAD+ availability have arisen. These strategies are based on the utilization of NAD+ intermediates/precursors or the inhibition of the NAD+-consuming enzymes, PARPs and CD38. An increase in endogenous sirtuin activity seems to mediate the protective effect that enhancing NAD+ availability confers in several models of neurodegeneration and age-related diseases.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

A growing body of evidence suggests the beneficial role of enhancing NAD+ availability in models of neurodegeneration. The challenge ahead is to establish the value and safety of the long-term use of these strategies for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 28, 1652-1668.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide is transported into mammalian mitochondria

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.

Pyridine Dinucleotides from Molecules to Man

SIGNIFICANCE

Pyridine dinucleotides, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP), were discovered more than 100 years ago as necessary cofactors for fermentation in yeast extracts. Since that time, these molecules have been recognized as fundamental players in a variety of cellular processes, including energy metabolism, redox homeostasis, cellular signaling, and gene transcription, among many others. Given their critical role as mediators of cellular responses to metabolic perturbations, it is unsurprising that dysregulation of NAD and NADP metabolism has been associated with the pathobiology of many chronic human diseases. Recent Advances: A biochemistry renaissance in biomedical research, with its increasing focus on the metabolic pathobiology of human disease, has reignited interest in pyridine dinucleotides, which has led to new insights into the cell biology of NAD(P) metabolism, including its cellular pharmacokinetics, biosynthesis, subcellular localization, and regulation. This review highlights these advances to illustrate the importance of NAD(P) metabolism in the molecular pathogenesis of disease.

CRITICAL ISSUES

Perturbations of NAD(H) and NADP(H) are a prominent feature of human disease; however, fundamental questions regarding the regulation of the absolute levels of these cofactors and the key determinants of their redox ratios remain. Moreover, an integrated topological model of NAD(P) biology that combines the metabolic and other roles remains elusive.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS

As the complex regulatory network of NAD(P) metabolism becomes illuminated, sophisticated new approaches to manipulating these pathways in specific organs, cells, or organelles will be developed to target the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of disease, opening doors for the next generation of redox-based, metabolism-targeted therapies. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 28, 180-212.

NMNAT3 is protective against the effects of neonatal cerebral hypoxia-ischemia

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the NAD+ biosynthetic protein, nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase-3 (NMNAT3), is a neuroprotective inducible enzyme capable of decreasing cerebral injury after neonatal hypoxia-ischemia (H-I) and reducing glutamate receptor-mediated excitotoxic neurodegeneration of immature neurons.

METHODS

Using NMNAT3-overexpressing mice we investigated whether increases in brain NMNAT3 reduced cerebral tissue loss following H-I. We then employed biochemical methods from injured neonatal brains to examine the inducibility of NMNAT3 and the mechanism of NMNAT3-dependent neuroprotection. Using AAV8-mediated vectors for in vitro neuronal NMNAT3 knockdown, we then examine the endogenous role of this protein on immature neuronal survival prior and following NMDA receptor-mediated excitotoxicity.

RESULTS

NMNAT3 mRNA and protein levels increased after neonatal H-I. In addition, NMNAT3 overexpression decreased cortical and hippocampal tissue loss 7 days following injury. We further show that the NMNAT3 neuroprotective mechanism involves a decrease in calpastatin degradation, and a decrease in caspase-3 activity and calpain-mediated cleavage. Conversely, NMNAT3 knockdown of cortical and hippocampal neurons in vitro caused neuronal degeneration and increased excitotoxic cell death. The neurodegenerative effects of NMNAT3 knockdown were counteracted by exogenous upregulation of NMNAT3.

CONCLUSIONS

Our observations provide new insights into the neuroprotective mechanisms of NMNATs in the injured developing brain, adding NMNAT3 as an important neuroprotective enzyme in neonatal H-I via inhibition of apoptotic and necrotic neurodegeneration. Interestingly, we find that endogenous NMNAT3 is an inducible protein important for maintaining the survival of immature neurons. Future studies aimed at uncovering the mechanisms of NMNAT3 upregulation and neuroprotection may offer new therapies against the effects of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

NMNAT: It's an NAD+ synthase… It's a chaperone… It's a neuroprotector

Nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyl transferases (NMNATs) are a family of highly conserved proteins indispensable for cellular homeostasis. NMNATs are classically known for their enzymatic function of catalyzing NAD⁺ synthesis, but also have gained a reputation as essential neuronal maintenance factors. NMNAT deficiency has been associated with various human diseases with pronounced consequences on neural tissues, underscoring the importance of the neuronal maintenance and protective roles of these proteins. New mechanistic studies have challenged the role of NMNAT-catalyzed NAD⁺ production in delaying Wallerian degeneration and have specified new mechanisms of NMNAT's chaperone function critical for neuronal health. Progress in understanding the regulation of NMNAT has uncovered a neuronal stress response with great therapeutic promise for treating various neurodegenerative conditions.

Post onset, oral rapamycin treatment delays development of mitochondrial encephalopathy only at supramaximal doses

Mitochondrial encephalopathies are fatal, infantile neurodegenerative disorders caused by a deficit of mitochondrial functioning, for which there is urgent need to identify efficacious pharmacological treatments. Recent evidence shows that rapamycin administered both intraperitoneally or in the diet delays disease onset and enhances survival in the Ndufs4 null mouse model of mitochondrial encephalopathy. To delineate the clinical translatability of rapamycin in treatment of mitochondrial encephalopathy, we evaluated the drug's effects on disease evolution and mitochondrial parameters adopting treatment paradigms with fixed daily, oral doses starting at symptom onset in Ndufs4 knockout mice. Molecular mechanisms responsible for the pharmacodynamic effects of rapamycin were also evaluated. We found that rapamycin did not affect disease development at clinically-relevant doses (0.5 mg kg^-1). Conversely, an oral dose previously adopted for intraperitoneal administration (8 mg kg^-1) delayed development of neurological symptoms and increased median survival by 25%. Neurological improvement and lifespan were not further increased when the dose raised to 20 mg kg^-1. Notably, rapamycin at 8 mg kg^-1 did not affect the reduced expression of respiratory complex subunits, as well as mitochondrial number and mtDNA content. This treatment regimen however significantly ameliorated architecture of mitochondria cristae in motor cortex and cerebellum. However, reduction of mTOR activity by rapamycin was not consistently found within the brain of knockout mice. Overall, data show the ability of rapamycin to improve ultrastructure of dysfunctional mitochondria and corroborate its therapeutic potential in mitochondrial disorders. The non-clinical standard doses required, however, raise concerns about its rapid and safe clinical transferability.

NAD+ salvage pathway in cancer metabolism and therapy

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) is an essential coenzyme for various physiological processes including energy metabolism, DNA repair, cell growth, and cell death. Many of these pathways are typically dysregulated in cancer cells, making NAD⁺ an intriguing target for cancer therapeutics. NAD⁺ is mainly synthesized by the NAD⁺ salvage pathway in cancer cells, and not surprisingly, the pharmacological targeting of the NAD⁺ salvage pathway causes cancer cell cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo. Several studies have described the precise consequences of NAD⁺ depletion on cancer biology, and have demonstrated that NAD+ depletion results in depletion of energy levels through lowered rates of glycolysis, reduced citric acid cycle activity, and decreased oxidative phosphorylation. Additionally, depletion of NAD⁺ causes sensitization of cancer cells to oxidative damage by disruption of the anti-oxidant defense system, decreased cell proliferation, and initiation of cell death through manipulation of cell signaling pathways (e.g., SIRT1 and p53). Recently, studies have explored the effect of well-known cancer therapeutics in combination with pharmacological depletion of NAD⁺ levels, and found in many cases a synergistic effect on cancer cell cytotoxicity. In this context, we will discuss the effects of NAD⁺ salvage pathway inhibition on cancer cell biology and provide insight on this pathway as a novel anti-cancer therapeutic target.

Tissue-specific regulation of sirtuin and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide biosynthetic pathways identified in C57Bl/6 mice in response to high-fat feeding

The sirtuin (SIRT)/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) system is implicated in development of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and diet-induced obesity, a major risk factor for T2D. Mechanistic links have not yet been defined. SIRT/NAD system gene expression and NAD/NADH levels were measured in liver, white adipose tissue (WAT) and skeletal muscle from mice fed either a low-fat diet or high-fat diet (HFD) for 3 days up to 16 weeks. An in-house custom-designed multiplex gene expression assay assessed all 7 mouse SIRTs (SIRT1-7) and 16 enzymes involved in conversion of tryptophan, niacin, nicotinamide riboside and metabolic precursors to NAD. Significantly altered transcription was correlated with body weight, fat mass, plasma lipids and hormones. Regulation of the SIRT/NAD system was associated with early (SIRT4, SIRT7, NAPRT1 and NMNAT2) and late phases (NMNAT3, NMRK2, ABCA1 and CD38) of glucose intolerance. TDO2 and NNMT were identified as markers of HFD consumption. Altered regulation of the SIRT/NAD system in response to HFD was prominent in liver compared with WAT or muscle. Multiple components of the SIRTs and NAD biosynthetic enzymes network respond to consumption of dietary fat. Novel molecular targets identified above could direct strategies for dietary/therapeutic interventions to limit metabolic dysfunction and development of T2D.

Molecular mechanisms in the initiation phase of Wallerian degeneration

Axonal degeneration is an early hallmark of nerve injury and many neurodegenerative diseases. The discovery of the Wallerian degeneration slow mutant mouse, in which axonal degeneration is delayed, revealed that Wallerian degeneration is an active progress and thereby illuminated the mechanisms underlying axonal degeneration. Nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 2 and sterile alpha and armadillo motif-containing protein 1 play essential roles in the maintenance of axon integrity by regulating the level of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, which seems to be the key molecule involved in the maintenance of axonal health. However, the function of nicotinamide mononucleotide remains debatable, and we discuss two apparently conflicting roles of nicotinamide mononucleotide in Wallerian degeneration. In this article, we focus on the roles of these molecules in the initiation phase of Wallerian degeneration to improve our understanding of the mechanisms underpinning this phenomenon.

Enhancing NAD+ Salvage Pathway Reverts the Toxicity of Primary Astrocytes Expressing Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis-linked Mutant Superoxide Dismutase 1 (SOD1)

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) participates in redox reactions and NAD(+)-dependent signaling pathways. Although the redox reactions are critical for efficient mitochondrial metabolism, they are not accompanied by any net consumption of the nucleotide. On the contrary, NAD(+)-dependent signaling processes lead to its degradation. Three distinct families of enzymes consume NAD(+) as substrate: poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases, ADP-ribosyl cyclases (CD38 and CD157), and sirtuins (SIRT1-7). Because all of the above enzymes generate nicotinamide as a byproduct, mammalian cells have evolved an NAD(+) salvage pathway capable of resynthesizing NAD(+) from nicotinamide. Overexpression of the rate-limiting enzyme in this pathway, nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase, increases total and mitochondrial NAD(+) levels in astrocytes. Moreover, targeting nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase to the mitochondria also enhances NAD(+) salvage pathway in astrocytes. Supplementation with the NAD(+) precursors nicotinamide mononucleotide and nicotinamide riboside also increases NAD(+) levels in astrocytes. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is caused by the progressive degeneration of motor neurons in the spinal cord, brain stem, and motor cortex. Superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) mutations account for up to 20% of familial ALS and 1-2% of apparently sporadic ALS cases. Primary astrocytes isolated from mutant human superoxide dismutase 1-overexpressing mice as well as human post-mortem ALS spinal cord-derived astrocytes induce motor neuron death in co-culture. Increasing total and mitochondrial NAD(+) content in ALS astrocytes increases oxidative stress resistance and reverts their toxicity toward co-cultured motor neurons. Taken together, our results suggest that enhancing the NAD(+) salvage pathway in astrocytes could be a potential therapeutic target to prevent astrocyte-mediated motor neuron death in ALS.

NAD⁺ in aging, metabolism, and neurodegeneration

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) is a coenzyme found in all living cells. It serves both as a critical coenzyme for enzymes that fuel reduction-oxidation reactions, carrying electrons from one reaction to another, and as a cosubstrate for other enzymes such as the sirtuins and poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerases. Cellular NAD(+) concentrations change during aging, and modulation of NAD(+) usage or production can prolong both health span and life span. Here we review factors that regulate NAD(+) and discuss how supplementation with NAD(+) precursors may represent a new therapeutic opportunity for aging and its associated disorders, particularly neurodegenerative diseases.

Nmnat3 Is Dispensable in Mitochondrial NAD Level Maintenance In Vivo

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is an essential co-enzyme mediating various enzymatic reactions. Mitochondrial NAD particularly occupies a considerable amount of total NAD in cells, and serves as a co-enzyme in tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle), β-oxidation, and oxidative phosphorylation. Despite the importance of mitochondrial NAD, its synthesis pathway remains unknown. It has been proposed that NAD synthesis enzyme, Nmnat3, was localized in mitochondria, but its physiological relevance to the metabolism in mitochondria was not fully elucidated. Previously, we have reported that murine Nmnat3 protein was strongly expressed in the cytoplasm of mature erythrocytes, in which mitochondria were absent, and Nmnat3-deficient mice (Nmnat3-KO mice) exhibited splenomegaly and hemolytic anemia due to reduced NAD levels in mature erythrocytes. These results challenged the role of Nmnat3 in mitochondrial NAD synthesis. In this study, we demonstrated that mitochondrial NAD levels in various tissues, except for red blood cells, were unchanged in Nmnat3-KO mice. We also analyzed the metabolites in glycolysis and TCA cycle and found that there were no differences between Nmnat3-KO and WT mice. In addition, the aged Nmnat3-KO mice had comparable NAD levels to that observed in WT mice. Our results indicated that Nmnat3 is dispensable in the maintenance of mitochondrial NAD levels, and that other NAD regulatory pathways may exist in mitochondria.

Alternative splicing of Drosophila Nmnat functions as a switch to enhance neuroprotection under stress

Nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase (NMNAT) is a conserved enzyme in the NAD synthetic pathway. It has also been identified as an effective and versatile neuroprotective factor. However, it remains unclear how healthy neurons regulate the dual functions of NMNAT and achieve self-protection under stress. Here we show that Drosophila Nmnat (DmNmnat) is alternatively spliced into two mRNA variants, RA and RB, which translate to protein isoforms with divergent neuroprotective capacities against spinocerebellar ataxia 1-induced neurodegeneration. Isoform PA/PC translated from RA is nuclear-localized with minimal neuroprotective ability, and isoform PB/PD translated from RB is cytoplasmic and has robust neuroprotective capacity. Under stress, RB is preferably spliced in neurons to produce the neuroprotective PB/PD isoforms. Our results indicate that alternative splicing functions as a switch that regulates the expression of functionally distinct DmNmnat variants. Neurons respond to stress by driving the splicing switch to produce the neuroprotective variant and therefore achieve self-protection.

Nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase (NMNAT) acts in the NAD biosynthesis pathway and has neuroprotective activity. Ruan et al. show that the neuroprotective activity of NMNAT is restricted to a splice variant of the enzyme, and that this variant is preferentially spliced in response to stress.

Subcellular Distribution of NAD+ between Cytosol and Mitochondria Determines the Metabolic Profile of Human Cells

The mitochondrial NAD pool is particularly important for the maintenance of vital cellular functions. Although at least in some fungi and plants, mitochondrial NAD is imported from the cytosol by carrier proteins, in mammals, the mechanism of how this organellar pool is generated has remained obscure. A transporter mediating NAD import into mammalian mitochondria has not been identified. In contrast, human recombinant NMNAT3 localizes to the mitochondrial matrix and is able to catalyze NAD(+) biosynthesis in vitro. However, whether the endogenous NMNAT3 protein is functionally effective at generating NAD(+) in mitochondria of intact human cells still remains to be demonstrated. To modulate mitochondrial NAD(+) content, we have expressed plant and yeast mitochondrial NAD(+) carriers in human cells and observed a profound increase in mitochondrial NAD(+). None of the closest human homologs of these carriers had any detectable effect on mitochondrial NAD(+) content. Surprisingly, constitutive redistribution of NAD(+) from the cytosol to the mitochondria by stable expression of the Arabidopsis thaliana mitochondrial NAD(+) transporter NDT2 in HEK293 cells resulted in dramatic growth retardation and a metabolic shift from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis, despite the elevated mitochondrial NAD(+) levels. These results suggest that a mitochondrial NAD(+) transporter, similar to the known one from A. thaliana, is likely absent and could even be harmful in human cells. We provide further support for the alternative possibility, namely intramitochondrial NAD(+) synthesis, by demonstrating the presence of endogenous NMNAT3 in the mitochondria of human cells.

NAD(+) Metabolism and the Control of Energy Homeostasis: A Balancing Act between Mitochondria and the Nucleus

NAD(+) has emerged as a vital cofactor that can rewire metabolism, activate sirtuins, and maintain mitochondrial fitness through mechanisms such as the mitochondrial unfolded protein response. This improved understanding of NAD(+) metabolism revived interest in NAD(+)-boosting strategies to manage a wide spectrum of diseases, ranging from diabetes to cancer. In this review, we summarize how NAD(+) metabolism links energy status with adaptive cellular and organismal responses and how this knowledge can be therapeutically exploited.

Pharmacological NAD-Boosting Strategies Improve Mitochondrial Homeostasis in Human Complex I-Mutant Fibroblasts

Mitochondrial disorders are devastating genetic diseases for which efficacious therapies are still an unmet need. Recent studies report that increased availability of intracellular NAD obtained by inhibition of the NAD-consuming enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)-1 or supplementation with the NAD-precursor nicotinamide riboside (NR) ameliorates energetic derangement and symptoms in mouse models of mitochondrial disorders. Whether these pharmacological approaches also improve bioenergetics of human cells harboring mitochondrial defects is unknown. It is also unclear whether the same signaling cascade is prompted by PARP-1 inhibitors and NR supplementation to improve mitochondrial homeostasis. Here, we show that human fibroblasts mutant for the NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) Fe-S protein 1 (NDUFS1) subunit of respiratory complex I have similar ATP, NAD, and mitochondrial content compared with control cells, but show reduced mitochondrial membrane potential. Interestingly, mutant cells also show increased transcript levels of mitochondrial DNA but not nuclear DNA respiratory complex subunits, suggesting activation of a compensatory response. At variance with prior work in mice, however, NR supplementation, but not PARP-1 inhibition, increased intracellular NAD content in NDUFS1 mutant human fibroblasts. Conversely, PARP-1 inhibitors, but not NR supplementation, increased transcription of mitochondrial transcription factor A and mitochondrial DNA-encoded respiratory complexes constitutively induced in mutant cells. Still, both NR and PARP-1 inhibitors restored mitochondrial membrane potential and increased organelle content as well as oxidative activity of NDUFS1-deficient fibroblasts. Overall, data provide the first evidence that in human cells harboring a mitochondrial respiratory defect exposure to NR or PARP-1, inhibitors activate different signaling pathways that are not invariantly prompted by NAD increases, but equally able to improve energetic derangement.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationship study of chemical probes as hypoxia induced factor-1α/malate dehydrogenase 2 inhibitors

A structure-activity relationship study of hypoxia inducible factor-1α inhibitor 3-aminobenzoic acid-based chemical probes, which were previously identified to bind to mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase 2, was performed to provide a better understanding of the pharmacological effects of LW6 and its relation to hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and malate dehydrogenase 2 (MDH2). A variety of multifunctional probes including the benzophenone or the trifluoromethyl diazirine for photoaffinity labeling and click reaction were prepared and evaluated for their biological activity using a cell-based HRE-luciferase assay as well as a MDH2 assay in human colorectal cancer HCT116 cells. Among them, the diazirine probe 4a showed strong inhibitory activity against both HIF-1α and MDH2. Significantly, the inhibitory effect of the probes on HIF-1α activity was consistent with that of the MDH2 enzyme assay, which was further confirmed by the effect on in vitro binding activity to recombinant human MDH2, oxygen consumption, ATP production, and AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation. Competitive binding modes of LW6 and probe 4a to MDH2 were also demonstrated.

The axon-protective WLD(S) protein partially rescues mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis after axonal injury

The axon-protective Wallerian degeneration slow (WLD^S) protein can ameliorate the decline in axonal ATP levels after neurite transection. Here, we tested the hypothesis that this effect is associated with maintenance of mitochondrial respiration and/or glycolysis. We used isolated neurites of superior cervical ganglion (SCG) cultures in the Seahorse XF-24 Metabolic Flux Analyser to determine mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis under different conditions. We observed that both mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis declined significantly during the latent phase of Wallerian degeneration. WLD^S partially reduced the decline both in glycolysis and in mitochondrial respiration. In addition, we found that depleting NAD levels in uncut cultures led to changes in mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis similar to those rescued by WLD^S after cut, suggesting that the maintenance of NAD levels in Wld^S neurites after axonal injury at least partially underlies the maintenance of ATP levels. However, by using another axon-protective mutation (Sarm1^−/−), we could demonstrate that rescue of basal ECAR (and hence probably glycolysis) rather than basal OCR (mitochondrial respiration) may be part of the protective phenotype to delay Wallerian degeneration. These findings open new routes to study glycolysis and the connection between NAD and ATP levels in axon degeneration, which may help to eventually develop therapeutic strategies to treat neurodegenerative diseases.

PARP inhibition delays progression of mitochondrial encephalopathy in mice

Mitochondrial disorders are deadly childhood diseases for which therapeutic remedies are an unmet need. Given that genetic suppression of the nuclear enzyme poly (adenine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase(PARP)-1 improves mitochondrial functioning, we investigated whether pharmacological inhibition of the enzyme affords protection in a mouse model of a mitochondrial disorder. We used mice lacking the Ndufs4 subunit of the respiratory complex I (Ndufs4 knockout [ KO] mice); these mice undergo progressive encephalopathy and die around postnatal day 50. Mice were treated daily with the potent PARP inhibitor N-(6-oxo-5,6-dihydrophenanthridin-2-yl)-(N,N-dimethylamino)acetamide hydrochloride (PJ34); neurological parameters, PARP activity, and mitochondrial homeostasis were evaluated. We found that mice receiving N-(6-oxo-5,6-dihydrophenanthridin-2-yl)-(N,N-dimethylamino)acetamide hydrochloride from postnatal day 30 to postnatal day 50 show reduced neurological impairment, and increased exploratory activity and motor skills compared with vehicle-treated animals. However, drug treatment did not delay or reduce death. We found no evidence of increased PARP activity within the brain of KO mice compared with heterozygous, healthy controls. Conversely, a 10-day treatment with the PARP inhibitor significantly reduced basal poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation in different organs of the KO mice, including brain, skeletal muscle, liver, pancreas, and spleen. In keeping with the epigenetic role of PARP-1, its inhibition correlated with increased expression of mitochondrial respiratory complex subunits and organelle number. Remarkably, pharmacological targeting of PARP reduced astrogliosis in olfactory bulb and motor cortex, but did not affect neuronal loss of KO mice. In light of the advanced clinical development of PARP inhibitors, these data emphasize their relevance to treatment of mitochondrial respiratory defects.

NAMPT-mediated salvage synthesis of NAD+ controls morphofunctional changes of macrophages

Functional morphodynamic behavior of differentiated macrophages is strongly controlled by actin cytoskeleton rearrangements, a process in which also metabolic cofactors ATP and NAD(H) (i.e. NAD+ and NADH) and NADP(H) (i.e. NADP+ and NADPH) play an essential role. Whereas the link to intracellular ATP availability has been studied extensively, much less is known about the relationship between actin cytoskeleton dynamics and intracellular redox state and NAD+-supply. Here, we focus on the role of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), found in extracellular form as a cytokine and growth factor, and in intracellular form as one of the key enzymes for the production of NAD+ in macrophages. Inhibition of NAD+ salvage synthesis by the NAMPT-specific drug FK866 caused a decrease in cytosolic NAD+ levels in RAW 264.7 and Maf-DKO macrophages and led to significant downregulation of the glycolytic flux without directly affecting cell viability, proliferation, ATP production capacity or mitochondrial respiratory activity. Concomitant with these differential metabolic changes, the capacity for phagocytic ingestion of particles and also substrate adhesion of macrophages were altered. Depletion of cytoplasmic NAD+ induced cell-morphological changes and impaired early adhesion in phagocytosis of zymosan particles as well as spreading performance. Restoration of NAD+ levels by NAD+, NMN, or NADP+ supplementation reversed the inhibitory effects of FK866. We conclude that direct coupling to local, actin-based, cytoskeletal dynamics is an important aspect of NAD+'s cytosolic role in the regulation of morphofunctional characteristics of macrophages.

Deficiency of nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 3 (nmnat3) causes hemolytic anemia by altering the glycolytic flow in mature erythrocytes

NAD biosynthesis is of substantial interest because of its important roles in regulating various biological processes. Nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 3 (Nmnat3) is considered a mitochondria-localized NAD synthesis enzyme involved in de novo and salvage pathways. Although the biochemical properties of Nmnat3 are well documented, its physiological function in vivo remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that Nmnat3 was localized in the cytoplasm of mature erythrocytes and critically regulated their NAD pool. Deficiency of Nmnat3 in mice caused splenomegaly and hemolytic anemia, which was associated with the findings that Nmnat3-deficient erythrocytes had markedly lower ATP levels and shortened lifespans. However, the NAD level in other tissues were not apparently affected by the deficiency of Nmnat3. LC-MS/MS-based metabolomics revealed that the glycolysis pathway in Nmnat3-deficient erythrocytes was blocked at a glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) step because of the shortage of the coenzyme NAD. Stable isotope tracer analysis further demonstrated that deficiency of Nmnat3 resulted in glycolysis stall and a shift to the pentose phosphate pathway. Our findings indicate the critical roles of Nmnat3 in maintenance of the NAD pool in mature erythrocytes and the physiological impacts at its absence in mice.

Salvaging hope: Is increasing NAD(+) a key to treating mitochondrial myopathy?

Mitochondrial diseases can arise from mutations either in mitochondrial DNA or in nuclear DNA encoding mitochondrially destined proteins. Currently, there is no cure for these diseases although treatments to ameliorate a subset of the symptoms are being developed. In this issue of EMBO Molecular Medicine, Khan et al (2014) use a mouse model to test the efficacy of a simple dietary supplement of nicotinamide riboside to treat and prevent mitochondrial myopathies.