Parallels between embryo and cancer cell metabolism

Smith, Danielle G.; Sturmey, Roger

Abstract

A key characteristic of cancer cells is the ability to switch from a predominantly oxidative metabolism to glycolysis and the production of lactate even when oxygen is plentiful. This metabolic switch, known as the Warburg effect, was first described in the 1920s, and has fascinated and puzzled researchers ever since. However, a dramatic increase in glycolysis in the presence of oxygen is one of the hallmarks of the development of the early mammalian embryo; a metabolic switch with many parallels to the Warburg effect of cancers. The present review provides a brief overview of this and other similarities between the metabolism in tumours and early embryos and proposes whether knowledge of early embryo metabolism can help us to understand metabolic regulation in cancer cells.

Citation

Smith, D., & Sturmey, R. (2013). Parallels between embryo and cancer cell metabolism. Biochemical Society Transactions, 41(2), 664 - 669. https://doi.org/10.1042/BST20120352

• Acceptance Date: Jan 1, 2013
• Online Publication Date: Mar 21, 2013
• Publication Date: Mar 21, 2013
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 25, 2018
• Journal: Biochemical Society Transactions
• Print ISSN: 0300-5127
• Publisher: Portland Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 41
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 664 - 669
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1042/BST20120352
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/429058