Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) (NADPH)

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) is a vital coenzyme found in all living cells, acting as a primary electron donor in various biological processes (PubChem CID 5884). Unlike its counterpart NADH, which is mainly involved in catabolic ATP production, NADPH is essential for anabolic reactions, such as the synthesis of fatty acids, cholesterol, and nucleotides (StatPearls, NBK459305). It plays a critical role in maintaining the cellular redox state by providing the reducing power necessary to regenerate reduced glutathione, thereby protecting cells against oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (Wikipedia). In the immune system, NADPH is a substrate for the NADPH oxidase (NOX) complex, which generates the respiratory burst required for killing pathogens (PubMed, PMID: 24561250). While NADPH itself is not a traditional therapeutic protein target, the enzymes that produce or consume it—such as Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and NOX—are significant targets in cancer, cardiovascular disease, and inflammatory disorders.

Other names

Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphateTPNHCoenzyme IITriphosphopyridine nucleotide

Acts as a universal electron donor (reducing agent) for biosynthetic reactions and the neutralization of reactive oxygen species (StatPearls, NBK459305).