Cited by 399Cancer, Hypoxia, and MetabolismCancer, Lipids, and MetabolismMitochondrial Function and Pathology

Mitochondria as biosynthetic factories for cancer proliferation

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Ahn, Christopher S, Metallo, Christian M·2015·Cancer & Metabolism

Abstract

Unchecked growth and proliferation is a hallmark of cancer, and numerous oncogenic mutations reprogram cellular metabolism to fuel these processes. As a central metabolic organelle, mitochondria execute critical biochemical functions for the synthesis of fundamental cellular components, including fatty acids, amino acids, and nucleotides. Despite the extensive interest in the glycolytic phenotype of many cancer cells, tumors contain fully functional mitochondria that support proliferation and survival. Furthermore, tumor cells commonly increase flux through one or more mitochondrial pathways, and pharmacological inhibition of mitochondrial metabolism is emerging as a potential therapeutic strategy in some cancers. Here, we review the biosynthetic roles of mitochondrial metabolism in tumors and highlight specific cancers where these processes are activated.

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  • Mitochondria participate in the biosynthesis of nucleotides, fatty acids, cholesterol, amino acids, glucose, and heme.

    “Mitochondria participate in the biosynthesis of nucleotides, FAs, cholesterol, amino acids, glucose, and heme (Figure 2).64”

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Authors
Ahn, C. S., & Metallo, C. M.
Affiliations
University of California San Diego (US)
Corresponding author
Metallo, Christian M
Venue
Cancer & Metabolism
Published
2015-01-25
Volume
3
Issue
1
Pages
1-1
ISSN
2049-3002 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2157099092
Cited by
399
References
84
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 28 · 2024: 33 · 2023: 28 · 2022: 35 · 2021: 58 · 2020: 41 · 2019: 41 · 2018: 31 · 2017: 43 · 2016: 33 · 2015: 12
FWCI
13.12
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Cancer & Metabolism (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • eScholarship (California Digital Library) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • U.S. Department of Defense (W81XWH, W81XWH1310105, W81XWH-13)
  • National Institutes of Health (W81XWH)
  • National Cancer Institute (R01CA132847, R01CA188652)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cancer Research › Cancer, Hypoxia, and Metabolism
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cancer Research › Cancer, Lipids, and Metabolism
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Mitochondrial Function and Pathology
Keywords
mitochondrial metabolism, tumor cell proliferation, biosynthesis, fatty acid synthesis, amino acid synthesis, nucleotide synthesis, cancer metabolism, mitochondrial dysfunction, metabolic reprogramming, cancer therapy

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