NAD+ vs SS-31
Longevity
NAD+
Essential redox coenzyme and substrate for sirtuins and PARPs — central to metabolic and DNA repair research.
Longevity
SS-31
Mitochondria-targeting tetrapeptide with high affinity for cardiolipin on the inner mitochondrial membrane.
Side by side
| Dimension | NAD+ | SS-31 |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular weight | 663.43 g/mol | 639.79 g/mol |
| Size class | short peptide | short peptide |
| CAS number | 53-84-9 | 736992-21-5 |
| Research area | longevity | longevity |
| Sequence | Not published as a linear sequence | D-Arg-Dmt-Lys-Phe-NH2 |
| Available sizes | 500mg, 1000mg | 10mg |
| Entry price | $59 | $49 |
| Cost per mg Cost per milligram differs by more than 3×. Compare against the concentrations your protocol actually requires, not the headline vial price. | $0.11 | $4.90 |
Mechanism
NAD+
NAD+ is a dinucleotide coenzyme present in all living cells, functioning both as an electron carrier in redox reactions and as a consumed substrate for sirtuins, PARPs, and CD38. It is not a peptide. Research interest in the longevity context follows from the observation that tissue NAD+ concentration declines with age, and from the dependence of sirtuin activity on NAD+ availability.
SS-31
SS-31 is a cell-permeable tetrapeptide that concentrates in the inner mitochondrial membrane through interaction with cardiolipin, a phospholipid essential to cristae architecture and respiratory supercomplex assembly. Its alternating aromatic-cationic motif drives membrane targeting independent of mitochondrial membrane potential — a mechanistic distinction from earlier targeting strategies such as TPP+ conjugation.
Research applications
NAD+
- Sirtuin activity and deacetylation assays
- PARP-mediated DNA repair studies
- Mitochondrial respiration and redox state measurement
- CD38 and NAD+ consumption pathway research
SS-31
- Cardiolipin binding and cristae morphology studies
- Mitochondrial respiration and ATP synthesis assays
- Reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress models
- Ischemia-reperfusion injury research
Common questions
What is the difference between NAD+ and SS-31?
NAD+ is essential redox coenzyme and substrate for sirtuins and PARPs — central to metabolic and DNA repair research. SS-31 is mitochondria-targeting tetrapeptide with high affinity for cardiolipin on the inner mitochondrial membrane. They differ in molecular weight (663.43 vs 639.79 g/mol) and in the pathways they are studied against.
Which is more cost-effective per milligram, NAD+ or SS-31?
NAD+ is lower at approximately $0.11 per milligram at its best tier, against $4.90 for the other. Cost per milligram is only meaningful relative to the concentrations a given protocol requires, since these compounds are not used at comparable masses.
Can NAD+ and SS-31 be studied together?
Combination designs appear in the published literature for a number of these compounds. Whether it is appropriate for a given protocol depends entirely on the model and endpoint. We supply research compounds and do not provide protocol guidance — consult the primary literature for your specific model.
How should NAD+ and SS-31 be stored?
Store lyophilized at -20°C protected from light and moisture. NAD+ is hygroscopic and degrades in solution faster than most peptides — prepare fresh where the assay permits. For SS-31: Store lyophilized powder at -20°C protected from light. Reconstituted solution stable at 2-8°C for up to 30 days.
All products are intended strictly for laboratory research use. Not for human or veterinary use. Not for diagnostic or therapeutic use. Not a drug, food, or cosmetic.
Comparison generated from NuVida Vital catalog data. Every specification is reconciled against the certificate of analysis for the shipped batch.