NADPH

I apologies for any confusion, but there is no such thing as a “NADPH enzyme.” NADPH (Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) is a coenzyme that acts as a reducing agent in a variety of metabolic events that occur within cells. It is a key electron carrier involved in anabolic processes such as fatty acid and cholesterol production, as well as antioxidant defense systems.

NADPH is produced by the action of several enzymes that catalyze the reduction of NADP+ to NADPH, such as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and malic enzyme. This conversion involves the exchange of high-energy electrons and protons, which results in the formation of NADPH.

NADPH is essential for cellular metabolism because it provides reducing power for biosynthetic reactions such as nucleotide, lipid, and amino acid production. NADPH is also involved in redox equilibrium, cellular defence against oxidative stress, and antioxidant regeneration, such as glutathione regeneration.

While NADPH is not an enzyme in and of itself, it is intimately related to several enzymes that use it as a cofactor. These enzymes, known as NADPH-dependent enzymes, need NADPH as a source of reducing equivalents to power their unique metabolic activities.