Visfatin
MetabolicAlso known as: NAMPT, PBEF, Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase, Pre-B Cell Colony Enhancing Factor
Mechanism
Visfatin (NAMPT) is an enzyme originally described as an insulin-mimicking fat tissue hormone. It is actually the key enzyme for NAD+ biosynthesis, making it central to cellular energy metabolism.
Technical detail
Visfatin is the extracellular form of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (eNAMPT), the rate-limiting enzyme in the NAD+ salvage pathway. Initially reported as an insulin-mimetic adipokine (binding insulin receptor), this finding was retracted. eNAMPT generates NMN extracellularly, which is taken up by cells for NAD+ synthesis. Elevated in obesity, type 2 diabetes, and inflammatory conditions. Also functions as a pro-inflammatory cytokine (DAMP).