Open AccessPerspective: a stirring role for metabolism in cells
Author(s) -
Losa José,
Leupold Simeon,
AlonsoMartinez Diego,
Vainikka Petteri,
Thallmair Sebastian,
Tych Katarzyna M,
Marrink Siewert J,
Heinemann Matthias
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
molecular systems biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 8.523
H-Index - 148
ISSN - 1744-4292
DOI - 10.15252/msb.202110822
Subject(s) - gibbs free energy , biology , mechanism (biology) , limit (mathematics) , intracellular , perspective (graphical) , work (physics) , metabolic rate , energy metabolism , biophysics , microbiology and biotechnology , thermodynamics , computer science , physics , mathematical analysis , mathematics , quantum mechanics , artificial intelligence , endocrinology
Based on recent findings indicating that metabolism might be governed by a limit on the rate at which cells can dissipate Gibbs energy, in this Perspective, we propose a new mechanism of how metabolic activity could globally regulate biomolecular processes in a cell. Specifically, we postulate that Gibbs energy released in metabolic reactions is used to perform work, allowing enzymes to self‐propel or to break free from supramolecular structures. This catalysis‐induced enzyme movement will result in increased intracellular motion, which in turn can compromise biomolecular functions. Once the increased intracellular motion has a detrimental effect on regulatory mechanisms, this will establish a feedback mechanism on metabolic activity, and result in the observed thermodynamic limit. While this proposed explanation for the identified upper rate limit on cellular Gibbs energy dissipation rate awaits experimental validation, it offers an intriguing perspective of how metabolic activity can globally affect biomolecular functions and will hopefully spark new research.