# Mitochondrial NAD kinase: function and mechanism in metabolism

> **NIH NIH R01** · WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $386,321

## Abstract

Project Summary
 Dysregulated energy metabolism is intrinsically linked to the development of metabolic disorders, such
as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). As universal electron carriers,
both nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) and its phosphorylated form (NADP) play essential roles in energy
metabolism. The NAD kinase (NADK), which phosphorylates NAD to generate NADP, is exquisitely sensitive to
nutritional or stress signals. While the cytosolic NADK has been characterized, little is known about generation
and maintenance of NADP from mitochondria, the central organelle responsible for metabolic process and
energy production, until our recent discovery that the uncharacterized human gene C5ORF33 encodes the long-
sought mitochondrial NADK, referred to as MNADK. We have shown that MNADK, as a nutritionally-regulated,
liver-enriched mitochondrial NADK, functions as the only de novo mitochondrial NADP biosynthesis pathway.
Recently, we accumulated strong preliminary evidence that MNADK is required to maintain energy homeostasis,
redox state, and insulin sensitivity and that repression of MNADK activity by protein S-nitrosylation modification
under the high-fat diet is largely responsible for hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance induced by overnutrition.
MNADK functions as a key regulator of acetylation of major metabolic transcriptional regulators. These
observations lead us to hypothesize that MNADK is required to maintain energy homeostasis and insulin
sensitivity and that repression of MNADK activity by overnutrition critically contributes to the development of
NASH and T2DM. Mechanically, MNADK not only plays major roles in maintaining mitochondrial function and
anti-oxidative protection, but also functions as a key regulator of acetylation of major mitochondrial regulators or
enzymes that shape metabolic adaptability following metabolic challenges.
 In this application, we will utilize molecular and cellular approaches, genetically-engineered mouse
models, as well as bioinformatics to critically address the functions and mechanisms by which the sole
mitochondrial NAD kinase, MNADK, maintains energy homeostasis and protects from metabolic disorders. Our
goal will be achieved by two aims: Aim 1, to determine the functional significance of MNADK in preserving hepatic
energy homeostasis and thus mitigating the risk of metabolic disorders; and Aim 2, to decipher the molecular
mechanism by which MNADK maintains mitochondrial function and energy metabolism. Upon completion of this
project, we will have defined the function and mechanism by which the mitochondria NAD kinase preserves
energy homeostasis and thus mitigates the risk of metabolic disease. Our proposed research will not only open
a new paradigm for the study on molecular basis underlying energy metabolism, but also have important
implications in the prevention and treatment of metabolic disease.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10418364
- **Project number:** 1R01DK132065-01
- **Recipient organization:** WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Kezhong Zhang
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $386,321
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-04-01 → 2026-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10418364

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10418364, Mitochondrial NAD kinase: function and mechanism in metabolism (1R01DK132065-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10418364. Licensed CC0.

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