Interrogating metabolism as an electron flow system

Curr Opin Syst Biol. 2019 Feb:13:59-67. doi: 10.1016/j.coisb.2018.10.001.

Abstract

Metabolism is generally considered as a neatly organised system of modular pathways, shaped by evolution under selection for optimal cellular growth. This view falls short of explaining and predicting a number of key observations about the structure and dynamics of metabolism. We highlight these limitations of a pathway-centric view on metabolism and summarise studies suggesting how these could be overcome by viewing metabolism as a thermodynamically and kinetically constrained, dynamical flow system. Such a systems-level, first-principles based view of metabolism can open up new avenues of metabolic engineering and cures for metabolic diseases and allow better insights to a myriad of physiological processes that are ultimately linked to metabolism. Towards further developing this view, we call for a closer interaction among physical and biological disciplines and an increased use of electrochemical and biophysical approaches to interrogate cellular metabolism together with the microenvironment in which it exists.

Keywords: Cellular physiology; Cellular trade-offs; Electrobiology; Evolution of metabolism; Metabolic organisation; Redox potential; Thermodynamics.

Publication types

  • Review