Biochemistry · Molecule
NADPH !
NADPH is the electron currency for building molecules and fighting oxidative damage; it comes mainly from the pentose pathway.
Updated 2026-11-01
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Key facts
- Like NADH but with an extra phosphate on the adenosine ribose; that phosphate lets enzymes tell them apart.
- NADH is used to make ATP (catabolism); NADPH for reductive synthesis (fatty acids, cholesterol, steroids) and antioxidant defence.
- Sources: the pentose pathway (G6PD and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase), malic enzyme and cytosolic isocitrate dehydrogenase.
- Derived from niacin (vitamin B3).
- Also called
- Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate
- Formula
- C₂₁H₃₀N₇O₁₇P₃
- PubChem
- CID 5884
Structure
- Two nucleotides joined through their phosphates: nicotinamide (the hydride-carrying part) and adenine with a 2′-phosphate.
Clinical notes
- It keeps glutathione reduced; without it the red cell haemolyses (G6PD deficiency).
- Phagocyte NADPH oxidase uses it to kill bacteria; its defect causes chronic granulomatous disease.
- Cytochrome P450 and HMG-CoA reductase also consume NADPH.
Pathways
Related conditions
Related
- NAD⁺ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide)
- Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)
- HMG-CoA reductase
- Dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR)
- Ribose 5-phosphate
Test yourself
Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.
What is the chemical difference between NADH and NADPH?
NADPH has one more phosphate on the adenine ribose.
What does the cell use NADPH for, rather than NADH?
For reductive synthesis (fatty acids, cholesterol) and to keep glutathione reduced.
What is the main source of NADPH in the red cell?
The oxidative phase of the pentose phosphate pathway, starting with G6PD.
Molecules are shown in their neutral form, as the databases deposit them; in the cell the acids and phosphates are ionised.
Educational information, not medical advice. For any symptom, see a health professional.
Sources: NADPH (CID 5884) (PubChem, NCBI, 2026) · Public domain; Pentose phosphate pathway (Reactome, 2026); Textbook of Biochemistry for Medical Students, 6th ed. (Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers (Vasudevan DM, Sreekumari S, Vaidyanathan K), 2011).
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