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The bioenergetics of cancer: Is glycolysis the main ATP supplier in all tumor cells?
Author(s) -
MorenoSánchez Rafael,
RodríguezEnríquez Sara,
Saavedra Emma,
MarínHernández Alvaro,
GallardoPérez Juan Carlos
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
biofactors
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.204
H-Index - 94
eISSN - 1872-8081
pISSN - 0951-6433
DOI - 10.1002/biof.31
Subject(s) - oxidative phosphorylation , bioenergetics , glycolysis , mitochondrion , phosphorylation , energy metabolism , metabolism , flux (metallurgy) , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , biochemistry , adenosine triphosphate , atp synthase , uncoupling agents , biology , enzyme , endocrinology , organic chemistry
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. © 2009 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.