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Sci. Signal., 15 November 2011
Vol. 4, Issue 199, p. ec319
[DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.4199ec319]

EDITORS' CHOICE

Metabolism Inositol Pyrophosphates in Metabolism Control

L. Bryan Ray

Science, Science Signaling, AAAS, Washington, DC 20005, USA

Roles of certain inositol polyphosphates as intracellular signaling molecules are well known. However, the functions of more recently described inositol pyrophosphates, such as diphosphoinositol pentakisphosphate, which contain high-energy phosphate bonds, are less clear. Szijgyarto et al. (see the Perspective by Irvine and Denton) propose that these molecules may help to control metabolism and mitochondrial function. Yeasts engineered to lack inositol pyrophosphates grew more slowly. Such yeasts, and mouse embryo fibroblasts similarly depleted of inositol pyrophosphates, showed decreased mitochondrial function and increased glycolysis.

Z. Szijgyarto, A. Garedew, C. Azevedo, A. Saiardi, Influence of inositol pyrophosphates on cellular energy dynamics. Science 334, 802–805 (2011). [Abstract] [Full Text]

R. F. Irvine, R. M. Denton, Pyro-technic control of metabolism. Science 334, 770–771 (2011). [Abstract] [Full Text]

Citation: L. B. Ray, Inositol Pyrophosphates in Metabolism Control. Sci. Signal. 4, ec319 (2011).

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