Phytochemicals Block Glucose Utilization and Lipid Synthesis to Counteract Metabolic Reprogramming in Cancer Cells
Aberrant metabolism is one of the hallmarks of cancers. The contributions of dysregulated metabolism to cancer development, such as tumor cell survival, metastasis and drug resistance, have been extensively characterized. “Reprogrammed” metabolic pathways in cancer cells are mainly represented by ex...
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MDPI AG
2021-01-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/3/1259 |
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| author | Qiong Wu Bo Zhao Guangchao Sui Jinming Shi |
| author_facet | Qiong Wu Bo Zhao Guangchao Sui Jinming Shi |
| author_sort | Qiong Wu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Aberrant metabolism is one of the hallmarks of cancers. The contributions of dysregulated metabolism to cancer development, such as tumor cell survival, metastasis and drug resistance, have been extensively characterized. “Reprogrammed” metabolic pathways in cancer cells are mainly represented by excessive glucose consumption and hyperactive de novo lipogenesis. Natural compounds with anticancer activities are constantly being demonstrated to target metabolic processes, such as glucose transport, aerobic glycolysis, fatty acid synthesis and desaturation. However, their molecular targets and underlying anticancer mechanisms remain largely unclear or controversial. Mounting evidence indicated that these natural compounds could modulate the expression of key regulatory enzymes in various metabolic pathways at transcriptional and translational levels. Meanwhile, natural compounds could also inhibit the activities of these enzymes by acting as substrate analogs or altering their protein conformations. The actions of natural compounds in the crosstalk between metabolism modulation and cancer cell destiny have become increasingly attractive. In this review, we summarize the activities of natural small molecules in inhibiting key enzymes of metabolic pathways. We illustrate the structural characteristics of these compounds at the molecular level as either inhibitor of various enzymes or regulators of metabolic pathways in cancer cells. Our ultimate goal is to both facilitate the clinical application of natural compounds in cancer therapies and promote the development of novel anticancer therapeutics. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T03:18:09Z |
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| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T03:18:09Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-9d28f95159f94defa28abcf1b54f2ac62023-12-03T15:16:25ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172021-01-01113125910.3390/app11031259Phytochemicals Block Glucose Utilization and Lipid Synthesis to Counteract Metabolic Reprogramming in Cancer CellsQiong Wu0Bo Zhao1Guangchao Sui2Jinming Shi3Key Laboratory of Saline-Alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, ChinaKey Laboratory of Saline-Alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, ChinaKey Laboratory of Saline-Alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, ChinaKey Laboratory of Saline-Alkali Vegetation Ecology Restoration, Ministry of Education, College of Life Science, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, ChinaAberrant metabolism is one of the hallmarks of cancers. The contributions of dysregulated metabolism to cancer development, such as tumor cell survival, metastasis and drug resistance, have been extensively characterized. “Reprogrammed” metabolic pathways in cancer cells are mainly represented by excessive glucose consumption and hyperactive de novo lipogenesis. Natural compounds with anticancer activities are constantly being demonstrated to target metabolic processes, such as glucose transport, aerobic glycolysis, fatty acid synthesis and desaturation. However, their molecular targets and underlying anticancer mechanisms remain largely unclear or controversial. Mounting evidence indicated that these natural compounds could modulate the expression of key regulatory enzymes in various metabolic pathways at transcriptional and translational levels. Meanwhile, natural compounds could also inhibit the activities of these enzymes by acting as substrate analogs or altering their protein conformations. The actions of natural compounds in the crosstalk between metabolism modulation and cancer cell destiny have become increasingly attractive. In this review, we summarize the activities of natural small molecules in inhibiting key enzymes of metabolic pathways. We illustrate the structural characteristics of these compounds at the molecular level as either inhibitor of various enzymes or regulators of metabolic pathways in cancer cells. Our ultimate goal is to both facilitate the clinical application of natural compounds in cancer therapies and promote the development of novel anticancer therapeutics.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/3/1259phytochemicalcancermetabolic reprogrammingglycolysislipogenesis |
| spellingShingle | Qiong Wu Bo Zhao Guangchao Sui Jinming Shi Phytochemicals Block Glucose Utilization and Lipid Synthesis to Counteract Metabolic Reprogramming in Cancer Cells Applied Sciences phytochemical cancer metabolic reprogramming glycolysis lipogenesis |
| title | Phytochemicals Block Glucose Utilization and Lipid Synthesis to Counteract Metabolic Reprogramming in Cancer Cells |
| title_full | Phytochemicals Block Glucose Utilization and Lipid Synthesis to Counteract Metabolic Reprogramming in Cancer Cells |
| title_fullStr | Phytochemicals Block Glucose Utilization and Lipid Synthesis to Counteract Metabolic Reprogramming in Cancer Cells |
| title_full_unstemmed | Phytochemicals Block Glucose Utilization and Lipid Synthesis to Counteract Metabolic Reprogramming in Cancer Cells |
| title_short | Phytochemicals Block Glucose Utilization and Lipid Synthesis to Counteract Metabolic Reprogramming in Cancer Cells |
| title_sort | phytochemicals block glucose utilization and lipid synthesis to counteract metabolic reprogramming in cancer cells |
| topic | phytochemical cancer metabolic reprogramming glycolysis lipogenesis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/11/3/1259 |
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