Recent advancements in the mass spectrometry-based analysis of protein acetylation changes upon Boron treatment

W effect states the shift in the energy generation metabolism of cancerous cells from oxidative phosphorylation to glycolysis. Nowadays, this statement has regained attention mostly with recent findings about protein acetylation as one of the key post-translational modifications involved in metabolic pathways. Sirtuins, which function as NAD+-dependent deacetylase or ADP ribosyltransferase, are indicated in the regulation of cell survival and longevity in response to the changes in cellular energy state. Alteration in NADH/NAD+ levels is an important driving factor for the activity of sirtuins to deacetylate target proteins and maintain energy homeostasis. Boron is known to be interacting NAD+, and therefore, it may affect the activity of sirtuins and acetylation status of proteins including the metabolic enzymes involved in the oxidative phosphorylation. By targeting sirtuins with boron in order to modify their deacetylatase activity, it is aimed to shift the metabolism of cancer cells from glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation in order to enhance the efficiency of drugs used in cancer therapy.