Mitochondrial Fusion Supports Increased Oxidative Phosphorylation During Cell Proliferation

Yao, C.H.; Wang, R.; Wang, Y.; et al.

In an effort to better understand the Warburg effect (or aerobic glycolysis) in relation to the metabolic requirements of cell proliferation, Yao et al. applied a model where proliferation could be turned on and off. Using stable isotopes and metabolomic techniques, they then quantified the metabolic changes in various cell types as a function of cell division. The authors show that the cancer cells they examined consume more oxygen during proliferation to sustain their mitochondria. Contrary to the common assumption that proliferating cells increase glycolysis at the expense of mitochondrial metabolism, their results show that glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration increase by equal amounts during proliferation. The findings may help design improved tests and targeted treatments for these tumors.