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Updated: Dec 15, 2025

Extraction of Aqueous Metabolites from Cultured Adherent Cells for Metabolomic Analysis by Capillary Electrophoresis-Mass Spectrometry
Published on: June 9, 2019
Metabolite sensing and signaling in cancer
Yi-Ping Wang1,2, Jin-Tao Li3,2, Jia Qu3,2
1Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center and Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Institutes, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer in Shanghai, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, and Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China yiping_wang@fudan.edu.cn qlei@fudan.edu.cn.
Abstract:
Metabolites are not only substrates in metabolic reactions, but also signaling molecules controlling a wide range of cellular processes. Discovery of the oncometabolite 2-hydroxyglutarate provides an important link between metabolic dysfunction and cancer, unveiling the signaling function of metabolites in regulating epigenetic and epitranscriptomic modifications, genome integrity, and signal transduction. It is now known that cancer cells remodel their metabolic network to support biogenesis, caused by or resulting in the dysregulation of various metabolites. Cancer cells can sense alterations in metabolic intermediates to better coordinate multiple biological processes and enhance cell metabolism. Recent studies have demonstrated that metabolite signaling is involved in the regulation of malignant transformation, cell proliferation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, differentiation blockade, and cancer stemness. Additionally, intercellular metabolite signaling modulates inflammatory response and immunosurveillance in the tumor microenvironment. Here, we review recent advances in cancer-associated metabolite signaling. An in depth understanding of metabolite signaling will provide new opportunities for the development of therapeutic interventions that target cancer.
Insights
Metabolites act as signaling molecules in cancer, influencing processes like epigenetics and cell growth. Understanding metabolite signaling offers new therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Metabolites are crucial signaling molecules involved in cellular processes.
- The discovery of oncometabolites, like 2-hydroxyglutarate, highlights the link between metabolic dysfunction and cancer.
- Cancer cells reprogram metabolism to support growth and survival, sensing metabolic intermediates to coordinate biological functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in cancer-associated metabolite signaling.
- To elucidate the role of metabolite signaling in cancer development and progression.
- To explore the therapeutic potential of targeting metabolite signaling in cancer.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on cancer metabolism and signaling.
- Analysis of the role of specific metabolites in cancer hallmarks.
- Examination of intercellular metabolite communication in the tumor microenvironment.
Main Results:
- Metabolite signaling regulates epigenetic and epitranscriptomic modifications, genome integrity, and signal transduction.
- Metabolite signaling is implicated in malignant transformation, proliferation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, differentiation blockade, and cancer stemness.
- Intercellular metabolite signaling influences inflammatory responses and immunosurveillance within the tumor microenvironment.
Conclusions:
- Metabolite signaling is a critical factor in cancer biology.
- Targeting metabolite signaling pathways presents promising therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.
- Further understanding of metabolite signaling will drive the development of novel anti-cancer interventions.
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