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Updated: May 12, 2026
Heterogeneity Mapping of Protein Expression in Tumors using Quantitative Immunofluorescence
Published on: October 25, 2011
Heterogeneity of tumor-induced gene expression changes in the human metabolic network
Jie Hu1, Jason W Locasale, Jason H Bielas
1Center for Computational Biology and Bioinformatics and Initiative in Systems Biology, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.
Abstract:
Reprogramming of cellular metabolism is an emerging hallmark of neoplastic transformation. However, it is not known how the expression of metabolic genes in tumors differs from that in normal tissues, or whether different tumor types exhibit similar metabolic changes. Here we compare expression patterns of metabolic genes across 22 diverse types of human tumors. Overall, the metabolic gene expression program in tumors is similar to that in the corresponding normal tissues. Although expression changes of some metabolic pathways (e.g., upregulation of nucleotide biosynthesis and glycolysis) are frequently observed across tumors, expression changes of other pathways (e.g., oxidative phosphorylation) are very heterogeneous. Our analysis also suggests that the expression changes of some metabolic genes (e.g., isocitrate dehydrogenase and fumarate hydratase) may enhance or mimic the effects of recurrent mutations in tumors. On the level of individual biochemical reactions, many hundreds of metabolic isoenzymes show significant and tumor-specific expression changes. These isoenzymes are potential targets for anticancer therapy.
Insights
Cancer cells reprogram metabolism, but gene expression largely mirrors normal tissues. Some pathways like glycolysis change universally, while others vary, offering potential therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Cellular metabolism reprogramming is a key feature of cancer.
- Understanding metabolic gene expression differences between tumors and normal tissues is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare metabolic gene expression patterns across diverse human tumor types.
- To identify common and heterogeneous metabolic alterations in cancer.
- To explore potential therapeutic targets based on metabolic gene expression.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of metabolic gene expression profiles.
- Examination across 22 distinct human tumor types.
- Investigation of individual biochemical reactions and isoenzymes.
Main Results:
- Tumor metabolic gene expression largely resembles that of corresponding normal tissues.
- Upregulation of nucleotide biosynthesis and glycolysis is common across tumors.
- Oxidative phosphorylation exhibits heterogeneous expression changes.
- Metabolic gene expression changes can mimic or enhance tumor-driving mutations.
- Hundreds of metabolic isoenzymes show significant, tumor-specific expression changes.
Conclusions:
- While some metabolic pathways are consistently altered in cancer, significant heterogeneity exists.
- Tumor-specific expression changes in metabolic isoenzymes represent promising targets for novel anticancer therapies.
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