Metabolic Plasticity in Embryogenesis Throughout the Lens of NAD

Changes in cell fate during early mammalian development are supported by the dynamic regulation of energy metabolic pathways. These transitions fulfill energetic demands and influence transcriptional reprogramming and cell differentiation. Variations in NAD+/NADH ratios during early developmental transitions correlate with metabolic remodeling. Indeed, NAD+ bioavailability acts as an early signal for a change in the metabolic landscape by controlling the redox state and activity of multiple NAD+ dependent enzymes. Here, we summarize recent studies on NAD+ bioavailability and its function as the master organizer of energy metabolism during early mouse development. Additionally, we examine the function of NAD+ dependent chromatin remodelers in synchronizing transcriptional programs with pathways that fulfil the metabolic demands of developmental stage transitions.