Difference Between NADH and NADPH

November 15, 2017

by Lakna
5 min read

Main Difference – NADH vs NADPH

NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) and NADP (nicotinamide adenine
dinucleotide phosphate) are the most abundant types of coenzymes inside the cell,
which are used as electron and hydrogen carriers. NADH and NADPH are the reduced
forms of NAD and NADP, respectively. Though NADH and NADPH are structurally more
similar, they differ by their role in the cell. The main difference between NADH and
NADPH is that NADH is used in cellular respiration whereas NADPH is used
in photosynthesis. NADH is produced in glycolysis and Krebs cycle and is used in the
electron transport chain to produce ATP via oxidative phosphorylation. NADPH is
produced in the light reaction of photosynthesis and is used in the Calvin cycle to
assimilate carbon dioxide.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is NADH
– Definition, Production, Usage
2. What is NADPH
– Definition, Production, Usage
3. What are the Similarities Between NADH and NADPH
– Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between NADH and NADPH
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms: ATP, Calvin Cycle, Coenzymes, Electron Transport Chain, Glycolysis, Krebs Cycle,
NADH, NADPH, Photosynthesis
What is NADH
NADH refers to the reduced form of NAD. NAD is one of the most abundant types of
coenzyme inside the cell, involving in the oxidation-reduction reactions of the cellular
respiration. It is mainly used in catabolic reactions. NADH is produced in glycolysis and
Krebs cycle. Most dehydrogenases use NAD + as a coenzyme, donating hydrogen and
electrons to produce NADH. NAD+ is the oxidized form of NAD. Two NADHs are produced
in glycolysis while six NADHs are produced in Krebs cycle. FADH 2 is also produced in Krebs
cycle. It also serves as another coenzyme as NADH. Both NADH and FADH 2 are used in the
electron transport chain. Electron transport chain is shown in figure 1.
 Figure 1: Electron Transport Chain
Since NADH serves as an electron and hydrogen donor, it donates its electrons to the
membrane proteins of the inner mitochondrial membrane. These electrons are used in
the production of ATP via oxidative phosphorylation.

What is NADPH
NADPH refers to the reduced form of NADP. NADP is a coenzyme involved in oxidation-
reduction reactions of photosynthesis. It is mainly used in anabolic reactions such as
nucleic acid and lipid synthesis. NADPH is the most abundant form of NADP inside the
cell. It is capable of donating hydrogen and electrons to a chemical reaction. Thereby,
NADPH acts as a reducing agent. It structurally differs from NADH by the presence of an
additional phosphate group in the 2’ position of ribose, which carries the adenine moiety.
The role of NADPH in photosynthesis is shown in figure 2.

Figure 2: NADPH in Photosynthesis

NADPH is produced in the light reaction of photosynthesis by the enzyme ferredoxin-
NADP+ reductase. Its reduction power is used in the Calvin cycle, assimilating carbon
dioxide. In animals, NADP is used in the pentose phosphate pathway.

Similarities Between NADH and NADPH

 Both NADH and NADPH are reduced forms of the most abundant coenzymes
inside the cell.
 Both NAD and NADH are involved in cellular metabolism.
 Both NADH and NADPH serve as hydrogen and electron donors.
 Both NADH and NADPH consist of two ribose molecules, which are attached
together by phosphate groups and one ribose is connected to an adenine
group, and the other ribose is connected to a nicotinamide group.

Difference Between NADH and NADPH

Definition
NADH: NADH is the reduced form of NAD.
NADPH: NADPH is the reduced form of NADP.

Oxidized Form
NADH: NAD+ is the oxidized form of the NADH.
NADPH: NADP+ is the oxidized form of the NADPH.

Involved in
NADH: NADH is involved in cellular respiration.
NADPH: NADPH is involved in photosynthesis.

Produced in
NADH: NADH is produced in glycolysis and Krebs cycle.
NADPH: NADPH is produced in the light reaction of photosynthesis.

Used in
NADH: NADH is used in the electron transport chain to produce ATP by oxidative
phosphorylation.
NADPH: NADPH is used in the Calvin cycle to assimilate carbon dioxide.

Free Phosphate Group

NADH: NADH do not contain a free phosphate group.
NADPH: NADPH contains a free phosphate group in the 2’ position of the ribose, which is
attached to the adenine moiety.

Type of Reactions
NADH: NADH is involved in anabolic reactions.
NADPH: NADPH is involved in catabolic reactions.

Abundance
NADH: NAD+ is the most abundant form while NADH is less abundant.
NADPH: NADPH is the most abundant form inside the cell.

Conclusion
NADH and NADPH are the reduced forms of the NAD and NADP, respectively. Both NADH
and NADPH serve as hydrogen and electron donors for reactions inside the cell. NADH is
mainly involved in catabolic reactions whereas NADPH is involved in anabolic reactions.
NADH is less abundant in the cell, while NADPH is more abundant in comparison to their
oxidized forms. The main difference between NADH and NADPH is the role of each type
of reduced coenzyme inside the cell.