Restoring a mitochondrial metabolite slows stem cell loss and aging. Cell Metabolism.
NAD was discovered over a century ago, and its role in cells as a redox conduit in metabolism was subsequently established. More recently, its oxidized form, NAD+, resurfaced as a key molecule in aging in organisms ranging from yeast to mammals by the finding that the antiaging proteins, sirtuins, are NAD+-dependent deacylases. These proteins play a key role in mitochondrial function. Indeed, aging is also associated with loss of sirtuin and mitochondrial function.
Science (print ISSN 0036-8075, online ISSN 1095-9203) is published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1200 New York avenue NW, Washington, DC 20005. 2017.