Nampt: linking NAD biology, metabolism and cancer.

Abstract

Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt) converts nicotinamide to nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), a key nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) intermediate. Previously identified as a cytokine pre-B-cell colony-enhancing factor and controversially claimed as an insulin-mimetic hormone visfatin, Nampt has recently drawn much attention in several fields, including NAD biology, metabolism and inflammation. As a NAD biosynthetic enzyme, Nampt regulates the activity of NAD-consuming enzymes such as sirtuins and influences a variety of metabolic and stress responses. Nampt also plays an important part in regulating insulin secretion in pancreatic beta-cells. Nampt seems to have another function as an immunomodulatory cytokine and, therefore, has a role in inflammation. This review summarizes these various functional aspects of Nampt and discusses its potential roles in diseases, including type 2 diabetes and cancer.

• Authors: Antje Garten, Stefanie Petzold, Antje Körner, Shin-Ichiro Imai, Wieland Kiess
• Journal: Trends in endocrinology and metabolism: TEM (Trends Endocrinol Metab) Vol. 20 Issue 3 Pg. 130-8 (Apr 2009) ISSN: 1043-2760 [Print] United States
• PMID: 19109034 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• NAD
• Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase

Topics

• Animals
• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 (metabolism)
• Humans
• Models, Biological
• NAD (metabolism)
• Neoplasms (metabolism)
• Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase (genetics, metabolism, physiology)