Global metabolic pathways

Global metabolic pathways represent the integrated network of biochemical reactions that sustain life by converting nutrients into energy and building blocks for cellular components (KEGG, map01100). This network encompasses central carbon metabolism, lipid biosynthesis, amino acid metabolism, and nucleotide synthesis (Reactome, R-HSA-1430728). While not a single therapeutic target, specific nodes within these pathways are frequently targeted to treat diseases like cancer, where metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark (Liberti & Locasale, 2016). For instance, the Warburg effect describes how cancer cells shift their global metabolism toward glycolysis even in the presence of oxygen. Metabolic disorders like type 2 diabetes also involve systemic dysregulation of these pathways, often addressed by drugs like metformin that modulate energy sensing (Rena et al., 2017). The complexity and interconnectedness of these pathways mean that modulating one enzyme can have far-reaching systemic effects. This interconnectedness presents both therapeutic opportunities for multi-pathway regulation and significant safety challenges regarding off-target toxicity. Understanding the global metabolic landscape is crucial for systems biology approaches in drug discovery and personalized medicine (Wishart et al., 2018).

Other names

Central metabolismIntermediary metabolismMetabolic networkCellular metabolism

Modulation of specific rate-limiting enzymes, transporters, or regulatory proteins within the integrated metabolic network to alter flux through specific pathways (KEGG, 2024; Rena et al., 2017).