NAD+ and NADP+ are essentially the same molecule (save the additional phosphate

Question

NAD+ and NADP+ are essentially the same molecule (save the additional phosphate in NADP+) and serve similar purposes in that they act as electron transfer agents in oxidation/reduction reactions. However, they act in very different sets of reactions. NAD+ is found in the catabolic reactions of glycolysis whereas NADP+ is found in nearly all the anabolic reactions of the cell. Intriguingly, NAD+ and NADP+ are maintained at very different cellular concentrations [NAD+] >> [NADP+]. Think about it! Why does the cell maintain these two molecules at such different levels?

Explanation / Answer

Cell mainly depends on the catabolic reactions to get the energy, which can be further used in anabolic reactions to make chemical compounds. So, catabolic reactions occur at a high level to get the enough energy to fuel the cell’s regular needs, and to fuel the anabolic reactions. Therefore, cells need to maintain high levels of NAD+ in order to carryout catabolic reactions.

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