Category: nucleotide
Aliases: NAAD, Desamido-NAD, Deamido-NAD⁺
Penultimate intermediate of NAD⁺ biosynthesis in the Preiss-Handler and de novo pathways. Formed by NMNAT-mediated adenylylation of nicotinic acid mononucleotide (NaMN + ATP → NAAD + PPi). Converted to NAD⁺ by glutamine-dependent NAD synthetase (NADS), which amidates the pyridine-3-carboxylate to the 3-carboxamide. NAAD has emerged as one of the most sensitive biomarkers of NR / NMN supplementation — plasma NAAD rises 5–8× after NR dosing while NAD⁺ itself changes modestly (the pool is regulated). NAAD is not a supplemented molecule: plasma phosphatases and absent transporters preclude intact gut absorption.