Measurement of NAD(P)H and NADPH-Generating Enzymes

Pyridine nucleotides (NAD(H) and NADP(H)) are key redox carriers in cells and may also have other functions related to stress. These two molecules are crucial in linking metabolism to electron transport chains in photosynthesis and respiration, but they are also critical for ensuring redox signaling and homeostasis during episodes of stress. This is especially the case for NADPH, which must be generated from its oxidized form, NADP+, by key dehydrogenases. Here, we describe methods that can be used to assay contents and redox states of NAD(H) and NADP(H), as well as simple assays to measure the capacity of two key NADPH-generating enzymes.