dimetabolism

Dimetabolism is a theoretical concept in biology that describes a system in which a cell or organism can adopt two distinct metabolic states and switch between them in response to environmental and physiological cues. The idea emphasizes metabolic flexibility beyond traditional one-way views of energy production and biosynthesis, suggesting that organisms may balance competing demands by toggling between complementary programs rather than proceeding along a single pathway.

In the dimetabolic framework, the two states are interconvertible regimes rather than fixed pathways. One regime is imagined to prioritize rapid energy generation and resource extraction under stress or high demand, while the other emphasizes biosynthesis, repair, and storage during periods of abundance. Transitions between states are proposed to be regulated by signaling networks that sense energy status, nutrient availability, and environmental factors, potentially involving known regulators of metabolism such as energy sensors and transcriptional controls. The model aims to explain how cells achieve swift adaptation without waiting for slow changes in gene expression alone.

Research status on dimetabolism remains largely theoretical and exploratory. It is discussed mainly in theoretical biology and certain computational models as a lens for understanding metabolic flexibility. Critics note that explicit, testable evidence for a distinct “two-state” metabolic system is limited, and that observed metabolic shifts can often be described by existing concepts such as metabolic switching or plasticity within known pathways. Further empirical work would be required to establish dimetabolism as a distinct, widely recognized framework.

See also: metabolism, metabolic flexibility, metabolic regulation, catabolism, anabolism.