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Updated: Apr 28, 2026
Autofluorescence Imaging to Evaluate Cellular Metabolism
Published on: November 15, 2021
Single-cell imaging for the study of oncometabolism
Aleš Svatoš1, Alfredo J Ibáñez2
1Mass Spectrometry/Proteomic Research Group, Max Planck institute, Jena, Germany.
Abstract:
Metabolic profiling is commonly employed to investigate the global metabolic alterations of malignant cells or tissues. In the latter setting, neoplastic lesions are separated from adjacent, healthy tissues and their metabolites are quantified upon a chromatographic run coupled to mass spectrometry. Changes in the abundance of specific metabolites are then mapped on metabolic networks and the underlying metabolic circuitries are investigated as potential targets for the development of novel anticancer drugs. This approach, however, does not take into account the intrinsic heterogeneity of neoplastic lesions, which contain a large amount of non-transformed cells. To circumvent this issue, techniques have been developed that allow for the imaging of metabolites at the single-cell level. Here, we summarize established protocols that are suitable for imaging metabolites in animal cells (be them malignant or not) as well as in plant and prokaryotic cells. These methods are relevant for the study of the metabolic alterations that accompany oncogenesis and tumor progression.
Insights
Metabolic profiling helps study cancer cell changes, but traditional methods miss cell differences. New single-cell imaging techniques reveal metabolic details in various cells, aiding cancer research.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Metabolic profiling analyzes global metabolic changes in malignant cells and tissues.
- Current methods quantify metabolites in bulk tissue, overlooking cellular heterogeneity.
- Investigating metabolic alterations is crucial for developing novel anticancer drugs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize established protocols for metabolite imaging at the single-cell level.
- To highlight the relevance of these methods for studying oncogenesis and tumor progression.
- To address the limitations of bulk tissue analysis in heterogeneous neoplastic lesions.
Main Methods:
- Review of established protocols for metabolite imaging.
- Application of techniques to animal, plant, and prokaryotic cells.
- Focus on single-cell analysis to overcome heterogeneity issues.
Main Results:
- Established protocols for single-cell metabolite imaging are suitable for diverse cell types.
- These methods enable detailed analysis of metabolic alterations within heterogeneous cell populations.
- The reviewed techniques are applicable to both malignant and non-malignant cells.
Conclusions:
- Single-cell metabolite imaging overcomes limitations of bulk analysis in heterogeneous tissues.
- These advanced techniques are vital for understanding metabolic shifts during cancer development.
- The summarized protocols offer valuable tools for cancer drug target discovery.
