Cellular energy metabolism is all biological functions. Cellular proliferation requires extensive metabolic reprogramming and features a high energy demand. The Kv1.3 voltage-gated potassium channel drives cellular proliferation. Kv1.3 channels localize to mitochondria. Using high-resolution respirometry, we show Kv1.3 channels increase organic process, independently of redox balance, mitochondrial membrane potential or calcium signaling. Kv1.3-induced respiration increased reactive oxygen species production. Reducing reactive oxygen concentrations inhibited Kv1.3-induced proliferation. Selective Kv1.3 mutation identified that channel-induced respiration required an intact voltage sensor and C-terminal ERK1/2 phosphorylation site, but is channel pore independent. We show Kv1.3 channels regulate respiration through a non-conducting mechanism to get reactive oxygen species which drive proliferation. This study identifies a Kv1.3-mediated mechanism underlying the metabolic regulation of proliferation, which can provide a therapeutic target for diseases characterized by dysfunctional proliferation and cell growth.

Many tasks that a cell must perform, such as movement and the synthesis of macromolecules, require energy. A large portion of the cell's activities are therefore devoted to obtaining energy from the environment and using that energy to drive energy-requiring reactions. Although enzymes control the rates of virtually all chemical reactions within cells, the equilibrium position of chemical reactions is not affected by enzymatic catalysis. The laws of thermodynamics govern chemical equilibria and determine the energetically favorable direction of all chemical reactions. Many of the reactions that must take place within cells are energetically unfavorable, and are therefore able to proceed only at the cost of additional energy input. Consequently, cells must constantly expend energy derived from the environment. The generation and utilization of metabolic energy is thus fundamental to all of cell biology.

Energy in the form of ATP can be derived from the breakdown of other organic molecules, with the pathways involved in glucose degradation again playing a central role. Nucleotides, for example, can be broken down to sugars, which then enter the glycolytic pathway, and amino acids are degraded via the citric acid cycle. The two principal storage forms of energy within cells, polysaccharides and lipids, can also be broken down to produce ATP. Polysaccharides are broken down into free sugars, which are then metabolized as discussed in the previous section. Lipids, however, are an even more efficient energy storage molecule.

The generation of energy from oxidation of carbohydrates and lipids relies on the degradation of preformed organic compounds. The energy required for the synthesis of these compounds is ultimately derived from sunlight, which is harvested and used by plants and photosynthetic bacteria to drive the synthesis of carbohydrates. By converting the energy of sunlight to a usable form of chemical energy, photosynthesis is the source of virtually all metabolic energy in biological systems.

Photosynthetic pigments capture energy from sunlight by absorbing photons. Absorption of light by these pigments causes an electron to move from its normal molecular orbital to one of higher energy, thus converting energy from sunlight into chemical energy. In plants the most abundant photosynthetic pigments are the chlorophylls, which together absorb visible light of all wavelengths other than green.

Cellular energy metabolism is all biological functions. Cellular proliferation requires extensive metabolic reprogramming and features a high energy demand. The Kv1.3 voltage-gated potassium channel drives cellular proliferation. Kv1.3 channels localize to mitochondria. Using high-resolution respirometry, we show Kv1.3 channels increase organic process, independently of redox balance, mitochondrial membrane potential or calcium signaling. Kv1.3-induced respiration increased reactive oxygen species production. Reducing reactive oxygen concentrations inhibited Kv1.3-induced proliferation. Selective Kv1.3 mutation identified that channel-induced respiration required an intact voltage sensor and C-terminal ERK1/2 phosphorylation site, but is channel pore independent. We show Kv1.3 channels regulate respiration through a non-conducting mechanism to get reactive oxygen species which drive proliferation. This study identifies a Kv1.3-mediated mechanism underlying the metabolic regulation of proliferation, which can provide a therapeutic target for diseases characterized by dysfunctional proliferation and cell growth.

Many tasks that a cell must perform, such as movement and the synthesis of macromolecules, require energy. A large portion of the cell's activities are therefore devoted to obtaining energy from the environment and using that energy to drive energy-requiring reactions. Although enzymes control the rates of virtually all chemical reactions within cells, the equilibrium position of chemical reactions is not affected by enzymatic catalysis. The laws of thermodynamics govern chemical equilibria and determine the energetically favorable direction of all chemical reactions. Many of the reactions that must take place within cells are energetically unfavorable, and are therefore able to proceed only at the cost of additional energy input. Consequently, cells must constantly expend energy derived from the environment. The generation and utilization of metabolic energy is thus fundamental to all of cell biology.

Energy in the form of ATP can be derived from the breakdown of other organic molecules, with the pathways involved in glucose degradation again playing a central role. Nucleotides, for example, can be broken down to sugars, which then enter the glycolytic pathway, and amino acids are degraded via the citric acid cycle. The two principal storage forms of energy within cells, polysaccharides and lipids, can also be broken down to produce ATP. Polysaccharides are broken down into free sugars, which are then metabolized as discussed in the previous section. Lipids, however, are an even more efficient energy storage molecule.

The generation of energy from oxidation of carbohydrates and lipids relies on the degradation of preformed organic compounds. The energy required for the synthesis of these compounds is ultimately derived from sunlight, which is harvested and used by plants and photosynthetic bacteria to drive the synthesis of carbohydrates. By converting the energy of sunlight to a usable form of chemical energy, photosynthesis is the source of virtually all metabolic energy in biological systems.

Photosynthetic pigments capture energy from sunlight by absorbing photons. Absorption of light by these pigments causes an electron to move from its normal molecular orbital to one of higher energy, thus converting energy from sunlight into chemical energy. In plants the most abundant photosynthetic pigments are the chlorophylls, which together absorb visible light of all wavelengths other than green.

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Nicola B
Editorial Manager
Journal of Biochemistry & Biotechnology