The nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase: a molecular link between metabolism, inflammation, and cancer

Beyond its well-described role in cellular metabolism, intracellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) levels have been shown to affect the enzymatic activity of a series of NAD-dependent enzymes, influencing biological responses such as cell survival and inflammation. Nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase activity has been shown to be essential for maintaining adequate intracellular NAD levels, suggesting that this enzyme may in fact play a central role in modulating the activity of a wide range of NAD-dependent enzymes. Several recent observations concur with this hypothesis and suggest that by regulating NAD availability, Nampt is able to control both cell viability and the inflammatory response. Nampt may thus represent a novel pharmacological target with valuable anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties.