Journal of Undergraduate Research
Keywords
nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, NAD levels, vivo, vitro methods
College
Life Sciences
Department
Microbiology and Molecular Biology
Abstract
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is a crucial coenzyme used in the production of ATP and general cellular metabolism. Its structure consists of two nucleotides—pyridine and adenine—joined by a pyrophosphate bond. The pyridine allows the molecule to function as an electron carrier in the cell. In this capacity, NAD is involved in over 300 cellular reactions including enzymatic reactions in glycolysis, reactions within the TCA cycle, and especially in the electron transport chain (Grose et al, 2005). Differing levels of NAD have been associated with many pathologies, including diabetes, inflammatory syndromes, neurodegeneration, and cancer (Magni et al., 2008). Current methods of measuring NAD levels in cells is rather insensitive, temperamental, and very time-consuming (Lundquist and Olivera, 1971). We have sought to provide researchers with a novel technique to easily detect NAD levels in vivo instead of current in vitro methods.
Recommended Citation
Neubert, Jonathan and Grose, Dr. Julianne
(2013)
"Real-time, in Vivo, NAD Biosensor,"
Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013:
Iss.
1, Article 1324.
Available at:
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/1324