title: Cell Life versus cell longevity: the mysteries surrounding the NAD+ precursor nicotinamide.
abstract: Nicotinamide, the amide form of niacin (vitamin B(3)), is the precursor for the coenzyme beta-nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) and plays a significant role during the enhancement of cell survival as well as cell longevity. Yet, these abilities of nicotinamide appear to be diametrically opposed. Here we describe the development of nicotinamide as a novel agent that is critical for modulating cellular metabolism, plasticity, longevity, and inflammatory microglial function as well as for influencing cellular life span. The capacity of nicotinamide to govern not only intrinsic cellular integrity, but also extrinsic cellular inflammation rests with the modulation of a host of cellular targets that involve mitochondrial membrane potential, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, protein kinase B (Akt), Forkhead transcription factors, Bad, caspases, and microglial activation. Further knowledge acquired in regards to the ability of nicotinamide to foster cellular survival and regulate cellular lifespan should significantly promote the development of therapies against a host of disorders, such as aging, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, cerebral ischemia, Parkinson's disease, and cancer.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cellular and Molecular Cerebral Ischemia, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA.
authors.forename: Faqi
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zhao Zhong
authors.initials: ZZ
authors.lastname: Chong
authors.forename: Kenneth
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maiese
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D002477:Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009243:NAD / Q000502:physiology*; D009536:Niacinamide / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D011065:Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D009243:NAD; D009536:Niacinamide; D011065:Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases