Metabolism articles from across Nature Portfolio

Animals need to be able to evaluate environmental pH. Mechanisms that mediate sour taste and acid sensing have been reported across species, but less is known about the detection of high pH. Mi et al. identify the gene alkaliphile, which encodes a high-pH-gated chloride channel in the gustatory system of flies.

Defective nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) metabolism is involved in various diseases. A study in Nature Metabolism identifies the cytosolic mitochondrial-RNA sensing system as a mediator that links NAD⁺ deficiency to kidney disease in humans and mice.

Cellular organelles called mitochondria contain their own DNA and RNA. The molecule fumarate has now been found to trigger the release of these nucleic acids into the cytosol, aberrantly activating inflammation.

Rates of type 2 diabetes and other conditions caused by disorders of the body’s energy-processing system are driven in part by changing food habits.

The field of bioenergetics is rapidly expanding with new discoveries of mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. The 2023 Keystone symposium on ‘Bioenergetics in Health and Disease’, which was jointly held with the symposium ‘Adipose Tissue: Energizing Good Fat’, consisted of a powerhouse line-up of researchers who shared their insights.