Life Entrapped in a Network of Atavistic Attractors: How to Find a Rescue

Int J Mol Sci. 2022 Apr 5;23(7):4017. doi: 10.3390/ijms23074017.

Abstract

In view of unified cell bioenergetics, cell bioenergetic problems related to cell overenergization can cause excessive disturbances in current cell fate and, as a result, lead to a change of cell-fate. At the onset of the problem, cell overenergization of multicellular organisms (especially overenergization of mitochondria) is solved inter alia by activation and then stimulation of the reversible Crabtree effect by cells. Unfortunately, this apparently good solution can also lead to a much bigger problem when, despite the activation of the Crabtree effect, cell overenergization persists for a long time. In such a case, cancer transformation, along with the Warburg effect, may occur to further reduce or stop the charging of mitochondria by high-energy molecules. Understanding the phenomena of cancer transformation and cancer development has become a real challenge for humanity. To date, many models have been developed to understand cancer-related mechanisms. Nowadays, combining all these models into one coherent universal model of cancer transformation and development can be considered a new challenge. In this light, the aim of this article is to present such a potentially universal model supported by a proposed new model of cellular functionality evolution. The methods of fighting cancer resulting from unified cell bioenergetics and the two presented models are also considered.

Keywords: Crabtree effect; NADH molecule accumulation; Warburg effect; aneuploidy; cancer genome instability; cancer transformation; genome chaos; mtNADH molecules; unified cell bioenergetics; vertical and horizontal cancer development.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cell Physiological Phenomena
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / metabolism
  • Energy Metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Neoplasms* / metabolism