Asia Stem Cell Center

Metabolite Products

Stem Cell for Metabolite Products

An understanding of cell metabolism is pivotal to comprehending the behavior of all living organisms (including humans) where metabolism is integral to health and proper functioning. Metabolites are the intermediate products of metabolic reactions catalyzed by various enzymes that naturally occur within cells. This term is usually used to describe small molecules, although broader application is often practiced.

Primary metabolites are synthesized by the cell because they are indispensable for their growth. Significant representatives are amino acids, vitamins (B2 and B12), polyols, organic acids, as well as nucleotides (e.g. inosine-5′-monophosphate and guanosine-5′-monophosphate). Metabolites have various functions, including fuel, structure, signaling, stimulatory and inhibitory effects on enzymes, catalytic activity of their own (usually as a cofactor to an enzyme), defense, and interactions with other organisms (e.g. pigments, odorants, and pheromones).

Metabolite sensing is one of the most fundamental biological processes. During evolution, multilayered mechanisms developed to sense fluctuations in a wide spectrum of metabolites, including nutrients, to coordinate cellular metabolism and biological networks.