The Autophagy–NAD Axis in Longevity and Disease
The role of autophagy in the maintenance of NAD levels.
Emerging research highlights the critical interplay between NAD metabolism and autophagy in cellular health, aging, and disease. Both mechanisms serve as essential regulators of metabolic homeostasis and are vital for alleviating cellular stress. However, their decline with age contributes to age-related pathologies, making them promising targets for therapeutic intervention.
Recent findings emphasize that NAD+‐consuming enzymes (NADases) can regulate autophagy at multiple stages, from early transcriptional activation to the final fusion of autophagosomes with lysosomes. Moreover, studies have demonstrated that a deficiency in autophagy can lead to a catastrophic depletion of NAD+/NADH, which can be rescued by NAD precursor supplementation. This suggests that autophagy plays a fundamental role in maintaining NAD levels, reinforcing the bidirectional relationship between these two key biological processes.
Understanding how NAD and autophagy interact provides new insights into potential anti-aging strategies and treatments for age-related diseases. By targeting this axis, researchers aim to develop therapeutic approaches that enhance cellular resilience and longevity.
As part of the 2nd World Congress on Targeting Longevity, Viktor I. Korolchuk from Newcastle University, UK, will present his latest findings on this topic. Join us in Berlin on October 29-30, 2025, to explore the future of longevity research.
Image Credits: Wilson, Niall et al. Trends in Cell Biology, Volume 33, Issue 9, 788 – 802