Metabolomics services for a global and unbiased view of metabolism

Metabolic flux is the movement of a metabolite through a pathway. Tracking pathways in action is possible with stable isotope labeling experiments. Metabolic fluxes correlate to regulation at the transcriptional, translational, post-translational and protein-metabolite interaction level. Fluxes are dysregulated in disease states, so understanding them provides actionable insights into pathogenesis and treatment development.

Our metabolomics experts will help you select the properly labeled stable isotope precursor for your experiment and design the isotope labeling conditions to produce the most meaningful results.

Contact us to plan your isotope tracing experiments today!

Our Isotope Tracing Offerings

Pentose Phosphate Pathway

The pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) plays a vital role in cellular metabolism. Its dysregulation contributes various diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, metabolic disorders, and cardiovascular diseases.

Cancer

Cancer cells exhibit increased PPP activity which supports cell growth, proliferation, and nucleotide synthesis in cancer cells and promotes survival under oxidative stress.

Neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and ALS display dysregulation of the PPP. The pathway plays a role in providing NADPH to limit oxidative stress.

Metabolic Disorders

Metabolic Disorders

Metabolic Disorders including obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes are found to have disrupted PPP function, impairing insulin resistance.

Cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases

Cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, and heart failure are associated with dysfunction in the PPP. Reduced NADPH contributes to increased oxidative stress.

Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle & Reductive Carboxylation

The TCA cycle, also know as the tricarboxyilic acid cycle or the citric acid cycle, is a central metabolic pathway that occurs in the mitochondria of eukaryotic cells and is involved in cellular respiration. Reductive carboxylation is a novel pathway of glutamine metabolism that plays a role in many types of cancer.

Mitochondrial disorders

Mitochondrial disorders

Mitochondrial disorders, can disrupt the TCA cycle. Defects in enzymes or transporters involved in the cycle can impair energy production.

Metabolic Disorders

Metabolic Disorders

Metabolic Disorders: Altered regulation of the TCA cycle can affect glucose and lipid metabolism, leading to imbalances in energy production and storage.

Inborn Errors of Metabolism

Inborn Errors of Metabolism

Inborn Errors of Metabolism are caused by mutations in genes encoding enzymes involved in the TCA cycle. These rare conditions result in the accumulation of specific metabolites and cause various symptoms, including developmental delays, neurological problems, and metabolic imbalances.

Fatty Acid Synthesis & Pyruvate Carboxylase

The pyruvate carboxylase pathway is an important mechanism that allows cells to efficiently utilize pyruvate and integrate multiple metabolic pathways for energy production, glucose homeostasis, and biosynthesis.

NAFLD & NASH

NAFLD & NASH is linked to the dysregulation of fatty acid synthesis in the liver. Increased FAS pathway activity, combined with other factors like insulin resistance, can lead to hepatic steatosis, inflammation, and progress to more severe liver diseases like (NASH) and cirrhosis.

Obesity & Diabetes

Obesity & Diabetes

Obesity & Diabetes: Excessive activation of the FAS pathway can lead to increased synthesis of fatty acids in adipose tissue, contributing to obesity. In insulin-resistant individuals, there is impaired suppression of fatty acid synthesis in adipose tissue. Excess fatty acids can impair insulin signaling and promote insulin resistance, a hallmark of type 2 diabetes.

Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular Disease: Altered fatty acid synthesis can influence lipid metabolism and contribute to the development of atherosclerosis, a major underlying cause of cardiovascular disease.

Cancer

Cancer cells exhibit enhanced fatty acid synthesis to support their rapid proliferation and growth. The FAS pathway provides a source of building blocks for the synthesis of membrane lipids, signaling molecules, and energy storage in cancer cells.

Neurological Disorders

Neurological Disorders

Neurological Disorders: The pyruvate carboxylase pathway provides energy and maintains metabolic homeostasis in the brain. Dysfunction of this pathway can lead to neurological disorders such as epilepsy, cognitive impairment, and neurodevelopmental disorders.