UCP2 overexpression redirects glucose into anabolic metabolic pathways

A Sreedhar, T Cassell, P Smith, D Lu, HW Nam… - …, 2019 - Wiley Online Library
A Sreedhar, T Cassell, P Smith, D Lu, HW Nam, AN Lane, Y Zhao
Proteomics, 2019Wiley Online Library
Abstract Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is often upregulated in cancer cells. The UCP2
upregulation is positively correlated with enhanced proliferation, tumorigenesis, and
metabolic alterations, thus suggesting that UCP2 upregulation can play a key role in sensing
metabolic changes to promote tumorigenesis. To determine the global metabolic impact of
UCP2 upregulation, 13C6 glucose as a source molecule is used to “trace” the metabolic fate
of carbon atoms derived from glucose. UCP2 overexpression in skin epidermal cells …
Abstract
Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is often upregulated in cancer cells. The UCP2 upregulation is positively correlated with enhanced proliferation, tumorigenesis, and metabolic alterations, thus suggesting that UCP2 upregulation can play a key role in sensing metabolic changes to promote tumorigenesis. To determine the global metabolic impact of UCP2 upregulation, 13C6 glucose as a source molecule is used to “trace” the metabolic fate of carbon atoms derived from glucose. UCP2 overexpression in skin epidermal cells enhances the incorporation of 13C label to pyruvate, tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates, nucleotides, and amino acids, suggesting that UCP2 upregulation reprograms cellular metabolism toward macromolecule synthesis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to bring to light the overall metabolic differences caused by UCP2 upregulation.
Wiley Online Library