Protocol for analyzing energy metabolic pathway dependency in human liver cancer cell lines

STAR Protoc. 2024 Mar 18;5(2):102964. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2024.102964. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Cellular energy metabolism analysis is complex, expensive, and indirect. We present a protocol to analyze relative contribution of metabolic pathways to ATP production by directly measuring ATP levels. We describe steps for cell counting and seeding in 96-well plate, treating with metformin, and systematic inhibition with metabolic inhibitors. We then detail procedures for a viability and ATP assay and calculating energy metabolism dependency. This high-throughput and accessible protocol works with any cell line and allows for flexible perturbation studies.

Keywords: Cancer; Metabolism; Molecular Biology.