The bioenergetics of cancer: is glycolysis the main ATP supplier in all tumor cells?
The molecular mechanisms by which tumor cells achieve an enhanced glycolytic flux and, presumably, a decreased oxidative phosphorylation are analyzed. As the O(2) concentration in hypoxic regions of tumors seems not limiting for oxidative phosphorylation, the role of this mitochondrial pathway in the ATP supply is re-evaluated. Drugs that inhibit glycoysis and oxidative phosphorylation are analyzed for their specificity toward tumor cells and effect on proliferation. The energy metabolism mechanisms involved in the use of positron emission tomography are revised and updated. It is proposed that energy metabolism may be an alternative therapeutic target for both hypoxic (glycolytic) and oxidative tumors. (c) 2009 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.
Moreno-Sánchez
Rafael
R
Instituto Nacional de Cardiología, Departamento de Bioquímica, Juan Badiano 1, Tlalpan, México DF, Mexico.
Rodríguez-Enríquez
Sara
S
Saavedra
Emma
E
Marín-Hernández
Alvaro
A
Gallardo-Pérez
Juan Carlos
JC
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics; D006019:Glycolysis; D006801:Humans; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy
D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate