METABOLISM STUDY GROUP
The aim of the Metabolism Study Group is to advance our knowledge and understanding of metabolic biology, and the tools for studying metabolic changes, in cancer and other disease types with a particular focus on “whole systems” in vivo approaches.
We meet, together with the Branco group, as a monthly journal club to discuss current literature, experimental approaches and study design to better inform our scientific approaches.
Below you'll find papers we've discussed in recent JC meetings:
if you would like to join our JC please contact Emma (Emma.Kerr@qub.ac.uk) or Cristina (c.branco@qub.ac.uk)
EPIGENETIC REPROGRAMMING OF CANCER-ASSOCIATED FIBROBLASTS DEREGULATES GLUCOSE METABOLISM AND FACILITATES PROGRESSION OF BREAST CANCER
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107701
15th June 2020
Key discussion points:
hypoxia increases the expression and activity of the transcription factor HIF1a in normal fibroblasts, leading to the transcription of key glycolytic genes converting ‘normal’ fibroblasts (NFs) to tumour-promoting CAFs
restricting 1) lactate import via MCT1 in cancer cells, and 2) lactate production in CAFs, significantly delayed tumour growth in-vivo
highlights the complexity of tumour-stroma interactions and how metabolic rewiring and oxygen abundance can determine the path to malignant progression
GENETIC SCREEN FOR CELL FITNESS IN HIGH OR LOW OXYGEN HIGHLIGHTS MITOCHONDRIAL AND LIPID METABOLISM
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2020.03.029
18th May 2020
Key discussion points:
how oxygen levels can dictate distinct metabolic signatures
what "normoxia" truly means for our research
how do we model "normoxia" in the lab?