11 – Metabolic and Genetic Features of Ancestral Eukaryotes versus Metabolism and “Master Pluripotency Genes” of Stem Cells

From protist to mammals, conserved anaerobic energy production pathways ensure energetic homeostasis in a low O 2 environment and protect the cell indirectly from oxidative stress. Consequently, the anaerobic nature of the mammal stem cell is actually an ancestral characteristic inherited from the unicellular eukaryotes. Stem cell metabolism is tightly regulated by the set of the various signaling pathways, genetic and epigenetic regulators. Astonishing preservation of energetic reactions among the major eukaryote groups implies that their genetic, epigenetic, and metabolic control is also evolutionary conserved. This is reflected by the establishment of the stemness “toolkit” that involves molecular and signaling pathways, enabling their maintenance.