NMNAT1 inhibits axon degeneration via blockade of SARM1-mediated NAD<sup>+</sup> depletion.

Sasaki, Yo; Nakagawa, Takashi; Mao, Xianrong; DiAntonio, Aaron; Milbrandt, Jeffrey · Elife · 2016

basic_science · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

Overexpression of the NAD<sup>+</sup> biosynthetic enzyme NMNAT1 leads to preservation of injured axons. While increased NAD<sup>+</sup> or decreased NMN levels are thought to be critical to this process, the mechanism(s) of this axon protection remain obscure. Using steady-state and flux analysis of NAD<sup>+</sup> metabolites in healthy and injured mouse dorsal root ganglion axons, we find that rather than altering NAD<sup>+</sup> synthesis, NMNAT1 instead blocks the injury-induced, SARM1-dependent NAD<sup>+</sup> consumption that is central to axon degeneration.

Medical subject headings