Scientists talked about the effect of sugar on cell movement

German scientists have found that the breakdown of sugar in the body affects not only energy production, but also directly controls the movement of cells. The discovery could change the understanding of wound healing, embryo development, and cancer spread. This was reported in the magazine on March 16. Phys.org .

The study showed that one of the intermediates of sugar breakdown, fructose—1,6-bisphosphate (FBP), performs a signaling function by regulating cell movement. Previously, it was believed that its role was limited to participation in energy metabolism.

Cell movement is a fundamental process underlying wound healing, embryonic development, and the functioning of the immune system. To move the cell, special structures are used — focal contacts that connect the cell with the environment and its internal framework, the cytoskeleton. These structures must be constantly assembled and disassembled so that the cell can move.

The team led by Professor Tanya Maritzen conducted a large-scale analysis, examining about 18 thousand proteins. The scientists sequentially "turned them off" using siRNA and observed changes in the behavior of the cells. As a result, a key enzyme, aldolase A, was identified. In its absence, the cells became larger and formed more attachment points.

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At the same time, FBP accumulated in the cells, which, as it turned out, interacts with the Rac1 protein, a regulator of cytoskeletal restructuring. The first author of the study, Lennart Hoffmann, explained that FBP "turns on" Rac1, which leads to the formation of new cytoskeleton structures and the advancement of the cell membrane.

Thus, scientists have established a direct link between the energy state of the cell and its ability to move. In fact, the cell receives a "ready signal": if there is enough energy, the movement process starts. According to the researchers, the mechanism may affect the migration of immune cells, the development of the embryo, as well as the spread of cancer cells during metastasis. In addition, the results are important for studying the processes of vascular formation and insulin secretion.

On February 19, Medical Xpress magazine reported on the dangers of a fiber-free diet for memory. According to the study, the effect of eating highly processed foods can appear as early as three days after the start of maintaining an appropriate diet.

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