Dysregulation of Glucose Metabolism by Oncogenes and Tumor Suppressors in Cancer Cells

Abstract

Cancers are complex diseases having several unique features, commonly described as ‘hallmarks of cancer'. Among<br />them, altered signaling pathways are the common characteristic features that drive cancer progression; this is achieved<br />due to mutations that lead to the activation of growth promoting(s) oncogenes and inactivation of tumor suppressors.<br />As a result of which, cancer cells increase their glycolytic rate by consuming a large amount of glucose, and convert<br />a majority of glucose to lactate even in the presence of oxygen known as the “Warburg effect". Tumor cells like other<br />cells are strictly dependent on energy for growth and survival; therefore, understanding energy metabolism will give<br />us an idea to develop new effective anti-cancer therapies that target cancer energy production pathways. This review<br />summarizes the roles of tumor suppressors and oncogenes and their products that provide metabolic advantages to<br />cancer cells which in turn leads to the establishment of the “Warburg effect" and ultimately leads to cancer progression.<br />Understanding cancer cell's vulnerability will provide potential targets for its control.