Work

Body mass shapes mitochondrial NADH and NADPH sources in mammalian skeletal muscle

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Here, we investigate whether the elevated mitochondrial H 2 O 2 release in small mammals arises from a tradeoff between NAD-dependent enzymes, which synthesizes NADH to support high oxidative phosphorylation, and NADP-dependent enzymes, which generates NADPH to detoxify H 2 O 2 within the matrix. We measured the activities of NAD- and NADP-dependent enzymes in skeletal muscle mitochondria from mammal species ranging from 4 g to 600 kg. The activities of the two most active NADPH-producing enzymes increased, whereas NAD-dependent enzyme activities declined with body mass. Therefore, small mammals prioritize NADH synthesis at the expense of NADPH, increasing the oxidative cost of mitochondrial metabolism.

Source: Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A Molecular & Integrative Physiology

DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2025.111944

Authors: Mélanie Boël, Yann Voituron, Damien Roussel

Institutions: Lyon 1 Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, École Nationale des Travaux Publics de l'État, Laboratoire d'Ecologie des Hydrosystèmes Naturels et Anthropisés

Language: English

Topic: Mitochondrial Function and Pathology

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,380

Funders: Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Office National de la Chasse et de la Faune Sauvage, Institut des Sciences de l'Evolution de Montpellier