Reciprocal regulation of cellular mechanics and metabolism

Evers et al. explore the interconnection between cellular mechanics and metabolism, emerging paradigms and the role of this interaction in cancer, cardiovascular disease and fibrosis. Metabolism and mechanics are intrinsically intertwined. External forces, sensed through the cytoskeleton or distortion of the cell and organelles, induce metabolic changes in the cell. The resulting changes in metabolism, in turn, feed back to regulate every level of cell biology, including the mechanical properties of cells and tissues. Here we examine the links between metabolism and mechanics, highlighting signalling pathways involved in the regulation and response to cellular mechanosensing. We consider how forces and metabolism regulate one another through nanoscale molecular sensors, micrometre-scale cytoskeletal networks, organelles and dynamic biomolecular condensates. Understanding this cross-talk will create diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities for metabolic disorders such as cancer, cardiovascular pathologies and obesity.

Automated summary

The research explores the interconnected relationship between cellular mechanics and metabolism and their roles in diseases like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and fibrosis. External forces sensed by the cytoskeleton induce metabolic changes in cells, which then feedback to regulate various levels of cell biology, including mechanical properties. The cross-talk between forces and metabolism has potential diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities for diseases such as cancer and obesity.