Abstract
Metabolic transformations of malignant cells are essential to the development and progression of all cancers. The understanding of the pathogenesis and progression of cancer requires the establishment of the altered genetic/metabolic factors that are essential to the development, growth, and proliferation of the malignant cells. Recognition of this important relationship has resulted in a resurgence of interest in the intermediary metabolism of tumor cells. The role of molecular genetics and proteomics and the application of molecular technology in assessing altered cellular metabolism has become a major area of biomedical research. The contemporary generation of biomedical scientists is exceptionally well trained in all areas of molecular biology and molecular technology, which are now important tools to be applied to the regulation of cellular intermediary metabolism. Simultaneously, the didactic and methodological training associated with the principles and operation of metabolic pathways, enzymology, cellular enzyme activity, and associated biochemical implications has been diminished and often eliminated from the pre- and post-doctoral programs. Interpretations and conclusions of alterations in cellular enzyme activity and associated metabolic pathways based on genetic/proteomic changes can and will result in misrepresentation of important metabolic implications in malignancy and other diseases. It is essential that the genetic/proteomic studies be coupled to biochemical/metabolic cellular events to satisfy the axiom: "genetic transformations and proteomic alterations will have little relevancy to disease processes if the genetic/proteomic alterations are not manifested in altered and impaired cellular and metabolic function". The appropriate marriage of molecular genetics/proteomics with the regulation of cellular intermediary metabolism will provide new revelations and understanding of malignancy that could not be achieved in earlier generations.
Highlights
Metabolic transformations of malignant cells are essential to the development and progression of all cancers
Molecular Cancer 2006, 5:59 http://www.molecular-cancer.com/content/5/1/59 understanding of the pathogenesis and progression of cancer requires the establishment of the altered genetic/ metabolic factors that are essential to the development, growth, and proliferation of the malignant cells
The training of young investigators over the past thirty years with a focus and expertise in intermediary metabolism, enzymology, enzyme kinetics, and associated methodologies has been widely diminished or eliminated from the pre- and post-doctoral programs. This decline resulted from the advent of molecular genetics, proteomics, and molecular technology as the contemporary focal areas of biomedical research and training
Summary
Metabolic transformations of malignant cells are essential to the development and progression of all cancers. The training of young investigators over the past thirty years with a focus and expertise in intermediary metabolism, enzymology, enzyme kinetics, and associated methodologies has been widely diminished or eliminated from the pre- and post-doctoral programs. This decline resulted from the advent of molecular genetics, proteomics, and molecular technology as the contemporary focal areas of biomedical research and training. These are important areas that can and will provide new insights and technologies into the intermediary metabolic relationships in disease processes that were not available to previous generations This provides for an exciting and revealing era of rejuvenated interest in intermediary metabolism to address the critical issues, "What are the essential adaptive metabolic requirements of malignant cells, and how is the altered metabolism achieved?"
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
