Metabolic pathways and their metabolites are gaining recognition as both sensitive biomarkers for pathological conditions and key modulators of cell fate. In the past, metabolic changes were considered a consequence of gene expression, metabolite control, or environmental changes such as starvation. However, extensive research in the last decade has demonstrated that metabolic changes respond to and influence cellular signaling. This crosstalk between metabolism and cellular signaling is mainly enabled by novel metabolite-mediated modulation of enzymatic activity of rate-limiting steps and post-translational and epigenetic modifications, for which metabolites serve as substrates.
Over time, and using advanced techniques, such as high precision mass spectrometry and isotope tracking, the appreciation of the close interactions among metabolites has increased. In recent years metabolic research shifted from analysis of a few well-studied metabolites (e.g., acetyl-CoA, acylcarnitines, Krebs' cycle intermediates, homocysteine, etc.), and metabolic pathways (e.g., glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation) to those implicated in numerous interconnected pathways. The latter approach is metabolomics, comparable to studying large groups of proteins (proteomics) or genes (genomics). In the past, metabolic research formulated and tested hypotheses using available data. However, metabolomics is a hypothesis-generating strategy that defines new pathophysiology biomarkers. Metabolomics-based research involves testing these new hypotheses. Moreover, new metabolomic biomarkers are used to investigate pathophysiological conditions and the efficacy of therapeutic interventions. By bringing to light new unresolved hypotheses and biomarkers, metabolomic research leads to an exponential increase in scientific knowledge.
This collection calls for various types of manuscripts, both hypothesis- and data-based. We believe that both untargeted and targeted analytical strategies applied in metabolomics can unravel the link between metabolism and cell function. Thus, this research topic's common denominator is demonstrating metabolic control of cell fate and decision making. All manuscript types are welcome: primary research articles, short communications, reviews, opinions, and methodological studies, all of which can be either basic science or clinical works.
The subtopics include, but are not limited to:
• Linking non-predefined metabolic pathway enrichment with activation of cellular defense or toxicity
• Modulation of cell signaling by specific metabolites
• Interactions between metabolic/metabolomic changes and key cellular pathways, such as differentiation, autophagy, or apoptosis
Metabolic pathways and their metabolites are gaining recognition as both sensitive biomarkers for pathological conditions and key modulators of cell fate. In the past, metabolic changes were considered a consequence of gene expression, metabolite control, or environmental changes such as starvation. However, extensive research in the last decade has demonstrated that metabolic changes respond to and influence cellular signaling. This crosstalk between metabolism and cellular signaling is mainly enabled by novel metabolite-mediated modulation of enzymatic activity of rate-limiting steps and post-translational and epigenetic modifications, for which metabolites serve as substrates.
Over time, and using advanced techniques, such as high precision mass spectrometry and isotope tracking, the appreciation of the close interactions among metabolites has increased. In recent years metabolic research shifted from analysis of a few well-studied metabolites (e.g., acetyl-CoA, acylcarnitines, Krebs' cycle intermediates, homocysteine, etc.), and metabolic pathways (e.g., glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation) to those implicated in numerous interconnected pathways. The latter approach is metabolomics, comparable to studying large groups of proteins (proteomics) or genes (genomics). In the past, metabolic research formulated and tested hypotheses using available data. However, metabolomics is a hypothesis-generating strategy that defines new pathophysiology biomarkers. Metabolomics-based research involves testing these new hypotheses. Moreover, new metabolomic biomarkers are used to investigate pathophysiological conditions and the efficacy of therapeutic interventions. By bringing to light new unresolved hypotheses and biomarkers, metabolomic research leads to an exponential increase in scientific knowledge.
This collection calls for various types of manuscripts, both hypothesis- and data-based. We believe that both untargeted and targeted analytical strategies applied in metabolomics can unravel the link between metabolism and cell function. Thus, this research topic's common denominator is demonstrating metabolic control of cell fate and decision making. All manuscript types are welcome: primary research articles, short communications, reviews, opinions, and methodological studies, all of which can be either basic science or clinical works.
The subtopics include, but are not limited to:
• Linking non-predefined metabolic pathway enrichment with activation of cellular defense or toxicity
• Modulation of cell signaling by specific metabolites
• Interactions between metabolic/metabolomic changes and key cellular pathways, such as differentiation, autophagy, or apoptosis