Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) is a biosynthetic precursor of NAD + known to promote cellular NAD + production and counteract age-associated pathologies associated with a decline in tissue NAD + levels. How NMN is taken up into cells has not been entirely clear. Here we show that the Slc12a8 gene encodes a specific NMN transporter. We find that Slc12a8 is highly expressed and regulated by NAD + in the murine small intestine. Slc12a8 knockdown abrogates the uptake of NMN in vitro and in vivo . We further show that Slc12a8 specifically transports NMN, but not nicotinamide riboside, and that NMN transport depends on the presence of sodium ion. Slc12a8 deficiency significantly decreases NAD + levels in the jejunum and ileum, which is associated with reduced NMN uptake as traced by doubly labeled isotopic NMN. Finally, we observe that Slc12a8 expression is upregulated in the aged murine ileum, which contributes to the maintenance of ileal NAD + levels. Our work identifies the first NMN transporter and demonstrates that Slc12a8 has a critical role in regulating intestinal NAD + metabolism.

Background:Cytokine secretion has unwanted consequences in malignant and in inflammatory disorders. The deacetylase SIRT6 has pro-inflammatory activity, but the underlying mechanisms and its biological significance remain unclear. The relationship between inflammation and carcinogenesis has been known for many years (1). Chronic inflammation is a risk factor for cancer development. In addition, even in those cancers that do not develop in inflamed tissues, an inflammatory component is usually observed, and it is now known to be an essential part of the malignant microenvironment (2, 3). Inflammation contributes to tumorigenesis and cancer progression by supplying growth factors that sustain cancer cell proliferation and/or survival, proangiogenic factors, extracellular matrix-modifying enzymes that promote invasion and metastasis, and signals that lead to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (2, 4, 5). Moreover, increased circulating levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines are responsible for systemic manifestations of disease, such as cachexia, fever, and sweats (6 -9). Among other forms of cancer, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) 2 is well known for its propensity to secrete high levels of pro-inflammatory factors that contribute to its clinical aggressiveness and to its metastatic potential (10). The mechanisms controlling cyto-/chemokine production by inflammatory and cancer cells are only partially understood. A more detailed understanding of the molecular pathways leading to cancer-associated inflammation may lead to new therapeutic strategies with a strong impact on patient quality of life.Previous studies showed that intracellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD ϩ ) levels influence the capacity of inflammatory cells to secrete cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor ␣ (TNF), interleukin 6 (IL6), IL1␤, interferon ␥ (IFN-␥), * This work was supported in part by the Associazione Italiana per la Ricerca sul Cancro (AIRC, Code 6108) (to A. N.), by the European Seventh Framework Program (Project 256986, PANACREAS) (to A. N.), by Ministero della Salute Grant GR-2008-1135635 (to A. N.)

Background: NAMPT inhibitors showed antitumor activity in preclinical cancer models, but no tumor remission occurred in clinical studies. Results: Cells treated with a NAMPT inhibitor are rescued by low NAD

In the last decade, substantial efforts have been made to identify NAD biosynthesis inhibitors, specifically against nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), as preclinical studies indicate their potential efficacy as cancer drugs. However, the clinical activity of NAMPT inhibitors has proven limited, suggesting that alternative NAD production routes exploited by tumors confer resistance. Here, we show the gene encoding nicotinic acid phosphoribosyltransferase (NAPRT), a second NAD-producing enzyme, is amplified and overexpressed in a subset of common types of cancer, including ovarian cancer, where NAPRT expression correlates with a BRCAness gene expression signature. Both NAPRT and NAMPT increased intracellular NAD levels. NAPRT silencing reduced energy status, protein synthesis, and cell size in ovarian and pancreatic cancer cells. NAPRT silencing sensitized cells to NAMPT inhibitors both and; similar results were obtained with the NAPRT inhibitor 2-hydroxynicotinic acid. Reducing NAPRT levels in a BRCA2-deficient cancer cell line exacerbated DNA damage in response to chemotherapeutics. In conclusion, NAPRT-dependent NAD biosynthesis contributes to cell metabolism and to the DNA repair process in a subset of tumors. This knowledge could be used to increase the efficacy of NAMPT inhibitors and chemotherapy. .

SIRT6 is an NAD(+)-dependent deacetylase with a role in the transcriptional control of metabolism and aging but also in genome stability and inflammation. Broad therapeutic applications are foreseen for SIRT6 inhibitors, including uses in diabetes, immune-mediated disorders, and cancer. Here we report on the identification of the first selective SIRT6 inhibitors by in silico screening. The most promising leads show micromolar IC50s, have significant selectivity for SIRT6 versus SIRT1 and SIRT2, and are active in cells, as shown by increased acetylation at SIRT6 target lysines on histone 3, reduced TNF-α secretion, GLUT-1 upregulation, and increased glucose uptake. Taken together, these results show the value of these compounds as starting leads for the development of new SIRT6-targeting therapeutic agents.