Focus on Metabolism

Chemical methods that integrate analytical and quantitative measurements of metabolites with the ability to alter metabolic processes offer powerful tools for modulating biology and physiology.

New research has revealed a wealth of small molecules that target cancer-specific metabolic vulnerabilities by targeting allosteric sites. Here, a Perspective discusses how their application has provided insights into cancer metabolism and therapy.

This Perspective discusses the genetically encoded tools for measuring and manipulating metabolism, highlighting the tools that are available, guidelines for their use and key areas for future development.

Succinate may have evolved as a signaling modality because its concentration reflects the redox state of the mitochondrial coenzyme Q pool, thus communicating to the rest of the cell and beyond about electron supply, oxygen tension and ATP demand.

Lipid metabolism is a major regulator of T cell biology, and this Review Article highlights mechanisms by which diverse lipids modulate T cell signaling and opportunities for therapeutic intervention on targets within these immunological pathways.

Identification of venom insulins with A-chain elongations inspired hybrid analogs with similar activity to human insulin. Cryo-EM structure analysis revealed the basis of the hybrid peptide activity.