Tumor Abnormal Glucose Metabolic Features

The field of tumor glucose metabolism is rapidly evolving, with ongoing research focused on unraveling the complexities of glucose metabolism in cancer cells. Understanding the molecular mechanisms that regulate glucose metabolism in tumors and their impact on therapy response is essential for developing effective strategies to combat cancer. Tumor cells can alter their glucose metabolism pathways to support their growth and survival.

• Warburg Effect

The Warburg effect is a characteristic feature of cancer cells, where they preferentially generate energy through aerobic glycolysis rather than oxidative phosphorylation. This switch in energy production allows cancer cells to survive in hypoxic environments and adapt to energetic stress.

• Pentose Phosphate Pathway

The cancer cells can regulate the flux of an alternative glucose metabolism pathway, the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), either directly or indirectly. PPP is important for nucleotide synthesis of rapidly dividing cells and the maintenance of cellular redox balance. As a major source of NADPH, PPP allows cancer cells to survive under stress conditions through the generation of NADPH and the maintenance of cellular redox balance.

Fig.1 Metabolic differences between normal and cancer cells.¹

Tumor Glucose Metabolism Analysis Service

Tumor metabolism pathway analysis is a powerful tool for understanding the unique metabolic processes that occur in cancer cells. This analysis can identify the key metabolites, enzymes, and regulatory molecules involved in tumor metabolism. At Creative Biolabs, we have extensive experience in pathway analysis using a variety of technologies, including multi-omic platforms and cellular metabolism assays.

Our services include but not limited to:

• Metabolomics allows for the identification and quantification of a broad range of metabolites in a biological sample, providing a snapshot of cancer cell glucose metabolism.
• Gene expression profiling allows for the analysis of the expression levels of genes involved in cancer cell metabolism. This approach has been instrumental in identifying genes that regulate glucose uptake, utilization, and secretion in tumors.
• Protein expression analysis provides insights into the roles of specific proteins in cancer cell metabolism. Researchers often use this approach to examine the expression levels and post-translational modifications of enzymes and transporters involved in glucose metabolism.
• Live metabolic flux analysis allows for real-time monitoring of cancer cell metabolism, providing insights into the dynamic interactions between cancer cells and their microenvironment.

Publications Sharing

Method Used: ¹³C Metabolic Flux Analysis (MFA)

Journal: Metabolites

Research Overview: This article utilized ¹³C metabolic flux analysis to determine how targeted inhibitor alters cell metabolism. DHEA (G6PD inhibitor) was used to decrease glucose flux down the glycolytic side branch pathway PPP. The results showed DHEA decreased the ¹³C enrichments of HUVEC glycolytic and TCA metabolites.

Fig.2 Analysis of ¹³C enrichment of metabolites.²

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References

1. Jóźwiak, Paweł, et al. "O-GlcNAcylation and metabolic reprograming in cancer." Frontiers in endocrinology 5 (2014): 145.
2. Moiz, Bilal, et al. "13C metabolic flux analysis indicates endothelial cells attenuate metabolic perturbations by modulating TCA activity." Metabolites 11.4 (2021): 226.

For Research Use Only | Not For Clinical Use