Metabolismregulering

Metabolismregulering, or metabolic regulation, is the set of processes that coordinate and control the rates of metabolic reactions to maintain energy balance, precursor supply, and cellular function. Regulation operates at multiple levels, from gene expression and enzyme synthesis to rapid post-translational modifications and the subcellular localization of enzymes within compartments such as the cytosol and mitochondria.

Key mechanisms include allosteric regulation by metabolites (for example, ADP, AMP, citrate), covalent modification such as phosphorylation or dephosphorylation of enzymes (for instance, glycogen phosphorylase and pyruvate dehydrogenase), and control by substrate availability. Hormonal signals coordinate metabolism at the organism level, with insulin promoting anabolic pathways and glucagon or epinephrine activating catabolic routes. Signaling networks, including AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), integrate energy status and nutrient signals to adjust pathways involved in glucose, lipid, and protein metabolism.

Metabolic regulation is organized across tissues. The liver acts as a central regulator of glucose and lipid homeostasis, while muscle tissue modulates glucose uptake and utilization, and adipose tissue controls lipid storage and release. Circadian rhythms further modulate gene expression and pathway activity, aligning metabolism with daily cycles of activity and feeding.

Clinical relevance arises from dysregulation of metabolic control, which is linked to conditions such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Therapeutic strategies often target regulatory nodes, including drugs that reduce hepatic gluconeogenesis, improve insulin signaling, or alter substrate availability, complemented by lifestyle interventions that influence metabolic demand.