Cell Metabolism
Articles tagged with Cell Metabolism
Study identifies a key mechanism in the degeneration of motor neurons in ALS
A team of researchers has identified a key mechanism in the degeneration of motor neurons in ALS, revealing that chaperone-mediated autophagy is significantly reduced in patients. This finding suggests that this cellular system may be a potential therapeutic target to slow disease progression.
How does mitochondrial DNA affect your health?
Salk Institute researchers have developed a new biological platform for studying mitochondrial DNA in human physiology, adaptation, and therapeutic development. The platform allows scientists to investigate mitochondrial DNA variation in health and disease, enabling therapeutic innovation for mitochondrial disorders.
MSK Research Highlights, March 2, 2026
New MSK research reveals that the TCA cycle's waste-management function may present an opportunity against cancer, microplastics impair immune 'housekeeping' functions and TOX plays different roles in different immune cells. A new combination approach for treating advanced kidney cancer after immunotherapy has also been identified.
Capturing the moment of organelle handoff inside living cells
For the first time, researchers have directly visualized how newly formed cellular organelles leave the endoplasmic reticulum and transition onto microtubule tracks inside living cells. The study reveals that the ER plays an active role in steering intracellular traffic.
A new atlas could help guide researchers studying neurological disease
A new study has created a comprehensive atlas of lysosomal proteins in the brain, shedding light on the functions and dysfunctions of these cellular components. The data, which includes 790 proteins associated with lysosomes, could help scientists better understand neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Itaconate modifications: mechanisms and applications
Researchers summarize itaconate biology highlighting its chemical reactivity and therapeutic potential in treating infectious diseases, sepsis, autoimmunity, neurodegenerative disorders. Itaconate exerts biological effects through post-translational modifications, altering protein activity and signaling pathways
Study links America’s favorite cooking oil to obesity
A study conducted at the University of California, Riverside, has uncovered a link between soybean oil consumption and obesity in mice. The research found that a genetically engineered group of mice on a high-fat diet rich in soybean oil did not gain weight, suggesting that the liver protein HNF4α plays a crucial role in fat metabolism.
Novel discovery reveals how brain protein OTULIN controls tau expression and could transform Alzheimer's treatment
Researchers discovered that brain enzyme OTULIN regulates tau protein accumulation and has implications for treating neurodegenerative diseases. The study revealed OTULIN's role in controlling gene expression and RNA metabolism, suggesting a potential therapeutic target.
A glimpse into the cell factory: matching gene expression to metabolite production in single plant cells
A new approach allows scientists to directly correlate gene expression with metabolite abundance, enabling the elucidation of complex plant natural product biosynthetic pathways. This method can help identify specialized cell types involved in producing therapeutically relevant chemical compounds.
Researchers find reason why “risk gene” causes Alzheimer’s
Scientists discovered that the APOE4 gene blocks brain cells from using alternative energy sources as we age, significantly increasing Alzheimer's risk. This knowledge could pave the way for new treatments by targeting lipid metabolism.
A quiet ally: A ubiquitin precursor promotes stress resistance and longevity
Researchers discovered a ubiquitin precursor form, CxUb, that amplifies abnormal protein destruction under stress, supporting healthy regeneration. This unique mechanism may lead to improved therapies for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
Exercise lowers disease risk. This researcher wants to understand how
Researchers exploring how exercise stress affects cellular adaptations and disease risk, focusing on mitochondrial energy sensing and AMPK activation. The study aims to determine if increasing mitoAMPK activity can mitigate diabetes in skeletal muscle.
Worms reveal just how cramped cells really are
Researchers tracked the movement of fluorescent particles inside the cells of microscopic worms, providing unprecedented insights into cellular crowding. The study found that the cytoplasm inside the worms was significantly more crowded and compartmentalized than in single-celled yeast or mammalian tissue culture cells.
Targeted cell removal offers treatment hope
A team of scientists has developed a protein-based therapeutic tool called Crunch to target and remove specific living cells, such as cancer cells or overactive immune cells. The new system uses the body's natural waste removal system to clear out unwanted cells, offering hope for improved treatments.
Gene essential for vitamin D absorption could help unlock treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases
Researchers have identified a key gene crucial for vitamin D uptake and metabolism, offering new avenues for precision medicine in cancer therapy and potential benefits for autoimmune diseases. Inhibiting this gene may selectively kill cancer cells while leaving healthy tissues unharmed.
On the origins of life: recreating cellular metabolism
Scientists from UC San Diego develop an artificial cell membrane that can remodel itself through metabolic activity, shedding light on how life may have emerged on prebiotic Earth. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in drug delivery, biomanufacturing and environmental remediation.
Releasing a molecular ‘brake’ may help immune cells better fight cancer
Scientists found that blocking PTGIR could help revitalize T cells in their battle against cancer. Prostacyclin interacts with PTGIR to lead to T cell exhaustion, which can be reversed by inhibiting this interaction.
New model enables the study of how protein complex influences mitochondrial function
A study by the Center for Redox Processes in Biomedicine presents a valuable new experimental model for investigating the interaction between the proteasome and mitochondrial function. The proteasome plays a role in protein quality control, while mitochondrial metabolism affects protein degradation efficiency.
Stress genes clear dead cells, offering disease insights
Researchers have discovered a novel cell-clearance pathway linked to diseases such as Chediak-Higashi Syndrome, which affects immune system function. The study used CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology and live imaging to characterize this pathway and identify key genes involved.
Uncovering how cells allocate space to make way for new growth
Researchers developed a systems approach to measuring organelle changes in living cells as they grow. The study found that certain organelles grow faster than others and that the vacuole plays a key role in buffering the cell against randomness.
A high-fat diet sets off metabolic dysfunction in cells, leading to weight gain
A high-fat diet leads to metabolic enzyme dysregulation, insulin resistance, and accumulation of reactive oxygen species in cells. Reversing these effects with antioxidants can mitigate damage.
Deciphering cellular logistics
A decade-long project has provided the first comprehensive functional blueprint of chemical transport pathways in human cells. The RESOLUTE consortium's groundbreaking studies have more than doubled existing knowledge on solute carriers, offering powerful new resources for biomedical discovery.
Estrogen-related receptors could be key to treating metabolic and muscular disorders
Estrogen-related receptors play a crucial role in regulating muscle cell metabolism and energy production. Researchers discovered that these receptors can increase mitochondrial numbers and enhance energetic output when muscles need more energy, making them a promising therapeutic target for metabolic disorders.
Scientists identify a mechanism that controls tomato ripening
Scientists have discovered a mechanism that controls tomato ripening, regulated by autophagy, which also affects life- and health-span in humans and animals. This finding has significant implications for reducing food waste and addressing sustainable food security.
Pennington Biomedical Research Center investigates tirzepatide's role in weight loss and metabolic health
Researchers at Pennington Biomedical Research Center investigated tirzepatide's effects on weight loss and metabolic health. The study found that tirzepatide decreased calorie intake and increased fat oxidation, leading to significant weight loss. However, the drug did not decrease the slowing down of metabolic rate usually observed wi...
Tumor byproduct blocks immune cells from fighting cancer
A team of researchers has identified a novel oncometabolite that accumulates in tumors and impairs immune cells' ability to fight cancer. The study highlights how the metabolic environment of tumors influences T cell function, opening new possibilities for improving cancer immunotherapy by targeting tumor metabolism.
Meiotic maturation resulted by microplastics exposure can be attributed to HDAC3 insufficiency
Low-dose microplastic exposure leads to abnormal reproduction in females, characterized by oocyte meiotic maturation defect and H4K16 hyperacetylation. HDAC3 insufficiency is proposed as a key mechanism underlying this toxicity.
Research pinpoints weakness in lung cancer’s defenses
Scientists have pinpointed a weakness in lung cancer's defenses by uncovering an enzyme that boosts cancer cell metabolism to fuel growth. Researchers identified GUK1 as a metabolic enzyme that plays a crucial role in ALK-positive cancers, suggesting it may be a target for new therapies.
Researchers develop sensors for the “charge” of biological cells
Scientists have developed genetically encoded biosensors to measure the ratio of NADPH to NADP⁺ in real-time, revealing new insights into cellular detoxification and protective function.
Deep-sea corals are home to previously unknown bacteria with extremely small genomes
Researchers have discovered two previously unknown bacterial species in deep-sea corals from the Gulf of Mexico. These bacteria have extremely reduced genomes and lack the ability to break down carbohydrates, surviving on amino acids instead. The discovery provides insights into the unique adaptations of deep-sea organisms.
What we can learn from hungry yeast cells
Scientists discovered a unique way in which yeast cells adapt to starvation by coating their mitochondria with massive molecular complexes called ribosomes. This adaptation has potential implications for cancer treatment as it may help overcome the challenges faced by cancer cells when they are starved of nutrients.
AI tool maps out cell metabolism with precision
A team of researchers created RENAISSANCE, an AI-based tool that simplifies the creation of kinetic models to accurately depict metabolic states. The tool successfully generated models that matched experimentally observed metabolic behaviors in Escherichia coli, simulating how the bacteria would adjust their metabolism over time.
Advanced imaging reveals how a parasitic ‘kiss’ alters cell metabolism
Researchers used optical metabolic imaging to study the effects of Toxoplasma gondii infection on host cells. They found that infected cells became more oxidized and had changes in glucose and lactate levels, highlighting the parasite's impact on metabolism.
Derivatives of the thalidomide compound drive resistant cancer cells to their deaths
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt have discovered thalidomide derivatives that target and degrade BCL-2, a protein essential for the survival of cancer cells. The derivatives bind to CRBN, reprogramming its binding surface to mark BCL-2 for degradation, ultimately leading to cell death.
Improved cellular recycling could benefit patients with neurodegenerative conditions
A team of researchers at The Hospital for Sick Children discovered a way to potentially reduce toxic cellular waste in patients with Zellweger Spectrum Disorder. By increasing the autophagic limit, they observed improved clearance of cellular waste, offering new pathways for treatment.
New technology for long-term liquid storage of chicken semen by arresting energy metabolism
Chicken sperm can retain fertility and viability for up to three weeks after refrigeration, making it unsuitable for traditional cryopreservation methods. The study found that removing calcium ions impacts energy metabolism dynamics, inducing a physiological dormancy-like state in the sperm cells.
Microautophagy is essential for preventing aging
A study published in EMBO Reports reveals that microautophagy is crucial for repairing damaged lysosomes, which helps prevent cellular aging. The researchers identified key regulators of this process, including STK38 and GABARAPs, and found that their depletion increases the rate of senescent cells and shortens lifespan in C. elegans.
Understanding of mechanisms behind post-exercise lack of appetite can open new paths to obesity treatment
A study published in The Journal of Physiology found that exercise suppresses hunger by acting on hormones and metabolites. Researchers suggest that understanding these mechanisms could lead to new treatments for obesity.
Enhancing immune defenses: researchers unveil the secrets of specialized T cells to conquer tumors
Scientists have discovered that tissue-resident memory T cells can be enhanced to fight off infections and tumors by redirecting their cholesterol-making process. A drug and statins were found to boost coenzyme Q production in these cells, improving their effectiveness.
Cell biology: How cellular powerhouses call for help when under stress
A team of researchers from Goethe University Frankfurt has discovered a central switch point in the mitochondrial signaling chain under misfolding stress. The mitochondria send two chemical signals to the cell when protein misfolding stress occurs, triggering a protective response that reduces misfolded proteins and stabilizes membranes.
New method enabling therapeutical targeting of lactate transporters
Scientists have developed a new assay system to target lactate transporters SLC16A1 and SLC16A3, associated with certain cancers and diseases. The method enables the discovery of highly selective inhibitors, providing a potential new approach for cancer treatments.
Structural biology: Molecular scissors caught in the act
Researchers have successfully visualized the three-dimensional structure of human tRNA splicing endonuclease TSEN, a crucial enzyme in tRNA maturation. The study reveals how TSEN recognizes and excises introns from precursor tRNAs, shedding light on its role in neurodegenerative disorders like pontocerebellar hypoplasia.
When the cell digests itself: How inherited neurodegenerative diseases develop
A team of scientists led by Professor Ivan Đikić and Christian Hübner identified the role of ubiquitin in regulating ER-phagy, a process involved in the degradation of the endoplasmic reticulum. This discovery sheds light on neurodegenerative diseases caused by defective FAM134B and ARL6IP1 proteins.
The search for the origin of a rare tumor points to a poorly studied mechanism as a new would-be hot topic in cancer research: ‘succinylation’
Scientists at CNIO identify succinylation as a poorly studied mechanism in cancer research; mutated DLST protein prevents succinylation, leading to pseudohypoxia and tumor growth. Succinylation is crucial for protein function and may be linked to various diseases.
Biological age is increased by stress and restored upon recovery
A study found that biological age in humans and mice increases rapidly in response to diverse forms of stress, only to reverse after recovery. The researchers used DNA methylation clocks to measure changes in biological age, revealing transient changes in response to stressful stimuli.
Sugar rush: scientists discover key role of glucose in brain activity
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have made a groundbreaking discovery about how neurons consume and metabolize glucose, a process crucial for maintaining normal energy levels. The study found that neurons rely on glycolysis to break down glucose, and its disruption can lead to severe learning and memory problems in mice.
Downregulation of angulin-1/LSR induces malignancy in lung adenocarcinoma
The study found that downregulation of angulin-1/LSR leads to increased claudin-2 expression and altered cell metabolism in human lung adenocarcinoma cells, promoting malignancy. Researchers identified AG1478 and EW-7197 as potential therapeutic agents.
How high altitude changes your body’s metabolism
Researchers at Gladstone Institutes discovered that chronically low oxygen levels, similar to those experienced at high elevation, rewire how mice burn sugars and fats. The study found lasting changes in metabolism, including lower blood glucose levels and body weight, which mirror what has been seen in humans who live at high altitude.
Drunk mice sober up after a hormone shot
A hormone called FGF21 protects mice from ethanol-induced loss of balance and righting reflex by activating a specific part of the brain that controls alertness. The study reveals that higher FGF21 concentrations can dramatically accelerate recovery from intoxication.
How to generate new neurons in the brain
Researchers at UNIGE and UNIL have discovered the importance of cell metabolism in reactivating quiescent neural stem cells, increasing new neurons in adult mice. This breakthrough could lead to potential treatments for conditions like depression and neurodegenerative diseases.
Research aims to expand understanding of link between chronic stress and heart disease, among other age-related conditions
A University of Massachusetts Amherst epidemiologist is leading a team to better understand the effects of chronic stress on future health risks. They will examine metabolites in blood samples from a large, racially diverse population to identify potential biomarkers for heart disease, diabetes and cognitive decline.
Longevity treatments do not slow aging
Researchers tested three widely believed aging treatments in mice and found no impact on aging. A new analytical approach allowed them to measure aging processes more precisely, revealing that these treatments promote general health rather than targeting aging mechanisms.
How cells take out the garbage
A team of researchers at Osaka University has identified a specific enzyme complex that initiates the removal of damaged lysosomes from cells. The complex, composed of CUL4A, DDB1, and WDFY1 proteins, acts preferentially during lysophagy to facilitate the degradation process.
A heat-sensitive calcium channel gets positive feedback
Researchers at Osaka University discovered that mutant variants of the RyR1 calcium channel protein are more sensitive to heat than normal proteins, leading to a cycle of activation that can cause malignant hyperthermia. This finding provides new insight into the condition and could lead to preventive and treatment strategies.
Liver cancer’s supercharged metabolism offers a new treatment strategy, Penn study suggests
Researchers discovered that liver cancer cells modify their metabolism to leave them susceptible to disruptions in arginine supply, a key molecule. A three-pronged approach targeting tumor metabolism, blocking survival-promoting responses, and starving tumors of arginine can induce senescence, making cancer cells killable.
Building block for a longer life
Heidelberg University researchers have identified a key protein HYPK that regulates N-terminal acetylation, prolonging plant protein life and enhancing drought resistance. This mechanism appears to be ancient, retained across various organisms.
Light-powered microbes are super-producing chemical factories
Researchers from Osaka University engineered microorganisms to use light as an external energy source, accelerating biomanufacturing of target compounds without disrupting the host microorganism's natural metabolism. This approach has the potential to increase efficiency and reduce carbon emissions in bioprocesses.
Cell cultures not as stable as you'd think
Researchers monitored cell environments for three days, finding significant differences from native conditions. The team aims to develop recommendations on improving culture conditions and reduce environmental instability.
Heartburn helps bacteria to survive antibiotic treatment
Scientists discovered that surviving bacteria share a common feature: they accumulate acid in their cells, shutting down protein synthesis. This leads to increased survival and can be exploited to develop new antimicrobial treatments.