Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2026
10:17
Assessment of Cellular Bioenergetics in Mouse Hematopoietic Stem and Primitive Progenitor Cells using the Extracellular Flux Analyzer
Published on: September 24, 2021
Is your metabolism determined by (cell) fate?
1Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA. bfeldman@cmp.ucsf.edu
Pediatric Research
|April 12, 2007
Summary
Metabolic diseases in children are increasing, with adult-onset symptoms appearing earlier. Understanding how glucocorticoids affect cell fate offers new therapeutic and preventative strategies for metabolic disease.
Area of Science:
- Metabolic disease research
- Pediatric health
- Cellular differentiation
Background:
- Metabolic diseases pose a significant public health challenge.
- Adult metabolic diseases originate in early life with decreasing age of symptom onset.
- Pediatric involvement in metabolic disease therapy and prevention is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine recent advances in understanding metabolic disease development.
- To explore the link between glucocorticoids and the origins of metabolic disease.
- To identify potential therapeutic and preventative targets.
Main Methods:
- Investigated the role of glucocorticoids in cell fate.
- Examined glucocorticoid effects on mesenchymal stem cell differentiation.
- Analyzed clinical similarities between glucocorticoid excess and metabolic disease.
Main Results:
- Glucocorticoids influence cell fate and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.
- A connection between glucocorticoids and metabolic disease origins was identified.
- Understanding glucocorticoid mechanisms offers new therapeutic avenues.
Conclusions:
- Mechanisms by which glucocorticoids modify cell fate decisions are key.
- Targeting these mechanisms holds promise for new therapies and preventative measures.
- Further research into glucocorticoid-induced cell fate changes is warranted.
Related Concept Videos
01:58Cell Specific Gene Expression
Multicellular organisms contain a variety of structurally and functionally distinct cell types, but the DNA in all the cells originated from the same parent cells. The differences in the cells can be attributed to the differential gene expression. Liver cells, whose functions include detoxification of blood, production of bile to metabolize fats, and synthesis of proteins essential for metabolism, must express a specific set of genes to perform their functions. Gene expression also varies with...
01:19Regulation of Metabolism
Cellular needs and conditions vary from cell to cell and change within individual cells over time. For example, the required enzymes and energetic demands of stomach cells are different from those of fat storage cells, skin cells, blood cells, and nerve cells. Furthermore, a digestive cell works much harder to process and break down nutrients during the time that closely follows a meal compared with many hours after a meal. As these cellular demands and conditions vary, so do the amounts and...
01:40Overview of Metabolism
Living cells constantly carry out various chemical reactions which are necessary for their proper functioning. These reactions are interlinked to one another via multiple pathways. The collection of these chemical reactions is known as metabolism.
Plant Metabolism
Sunlight, the primary source of energy in plants, is first absorbed by the chlorophyll pigments present in their leaves. Plants then use this energy to carry out photosynthesis, where water is oxidized into oxygen and carbon dioxide...
Plant Metabolism
Sunlight, the primary source of energy in plants, is first absorbed by the chlorophyll pigments present in their leaves. Plants then use this energy to carry out photosynthesis, where water is oxidized into oxygen and carbon dioxide...
00:52What is Metabolism?
Overview
01:30Introduction to Metabolism
Metabolism encompasses all biochemical reactions in a living organism, facilitating both the breakdown and synthesis of biomolecules. These metabolic processes are categorized into catabolic and anabolic pathways, which operate in a coordinated manner to ensure energy balance and cellular function.Catabolic Pathways and Energy ReleaseCatabolic pathways involve the breakdown of complex macromolecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins into smaller structures like monosaccharides, fatty...
01:51Determination
During embryogenesis, cells become progressively committed to different fates through a two-step process: specification followed by determination. Specification is demonstrated by removing a segment of an early embryo, “neutrally” culturing the tissue in vitro—for example, in a petri dish with simple medium—and then observing the derivatives. If the cultured region gives rise to cell types that it would normally generate in the embryo, this means that it is specified. In contrast, determination...