NADH, NADPH

Definition

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (oxidized form: NAD⁺; reduced form: NADH) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (oxidized form: NADP⁺; reduced form: NADPH) are two universal coenzymes functioning as hydride (H⁻) carriers at a standard reduction potential of −320 mV. The pair NAD⁺/NADH essentially works in oxidation reactions in catabolism (like synthesis of aldehyde and ketone functions from alcohols, or organic acids from aldehydes). On the contrary, the pair NADP⁺/NADPH serves as a reducing agent during anabolic processes (for example, in formation of saturated C-C bonds from double bonds). In addition to its role as an electron carrier, NAD⁺ also acts as an ADP-ribosyl donor.

History

The coenzyme NAD⁺ was formerly known as diphosphopyridine nucleotide (DPN) and NADP⁺ as triphosphopyridine nucleotide (TPN).

See Also

• Anabolism

• Catabolism

• Coenzyme

• Metabolism