Stem Cells and Metabolism

Every cell shows a great ability to adapt its metabolism to specific environmental influences. Excessive metabolism leads to higher cell turnover and premature cell death. This can be caused by various stimuli, but there is strong evidence that not only changes in environment but also the aging process itself plays a pivotal role in cell metabolism, especially regarding the energy regulation process. In recent years, the interest in the metabolic compartment of stem cells has grown. Interestingly, stem cells reside in their own microenvironment, which is different from the normal microenvironment and therefore shows a special metabolic regulation. The HIF-1 complex has a special role in this process by regulating several metabolic pathways. In this text, we review the latest literature on aging and metabolism, especially the influences on stem cells.