flavin adenine dinucleotide

Last reviewed 01/2018

Flavin adenine dinucleotide is a coenzyme derived from riboflavin. It consists of:

  • the nucleotide, adenine
  • the sugar ribose
  • 2 phosphate groups

FAD, in common with flavin mononucleotide, has an isoalloxazine ring structure that readily accepts and donates electrons. This makes it ideally suited to be an intermediate that is cyclically reduced and then re-oxidized by metabolic reactions.