Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase in malignancy: a review.

Abstract

Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt) catalyzes the rate-limiting step of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) synthesis. Both intracellular and extracellular Nampt (iNampt and eNampt) levels are increased in several human malignancies and some studies demonstrate increased iNampt in more aggressive/invasive tumors and in tumor metastases. Several different molecular targets have been identified that promote carcinogenesis following iNampt overexpression, including SirT1, CtBP, and PARP-1. Additionally, eNampt is elevated in several human cancers and is often associated with a higher tumor stage and worse prognoses. Here we review the roles of Nampt in malignancy, some of the known mechanisms by which it promotes carcinogenesis, and discuss the possibility of employing Nampt inhibitors in cancer treatment.

• Authors: Rodney E Shackelford, Kim Mayhall, Nicole M Maxwell, Emad Kandil, Domenico Coppola
• Journal: Genes & cancer (Genes Cancer) Vol. 4 Issue 11-12 Pg. 447-56 (Nov 2013) ISSN: 1947-6019 [Print] United States
• PMID: 24386506 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)