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Review
. 2024 Jul 25;16(15):2417.
doi: 10.3390/nu16152417.

Importance of Energy, Dietary Protein Sources, and Amino Acid Composition in the Regulation of Metabolism: An Indissoluble Dynamic Combination for Life

Giovanni Corsetti  1 , Evasio Pasini  2   3 , Tiziano M Scarabelli  4 , Claudia Romano  1 , Arashpreet Singh  5 , Carol C Scarabelli  4 , Francesco S Dioguardi  6
Affiliations
Review

Importance of Energy, Dietary Protein Sources, and Amino Acid Composition in the Regulation of Metabolism: An Indissoluble Dynamic Combination for Life

Giovanni Corsetti et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

Purpose: This paper aims to present a unique perspective that emphasizes the intricate interplay between energy, dietary proteins, and amino acid composition, underscoring their mutual dependence for health-related considerations. Energy and protein synthesis are fundamental to biological processes, crucial for the sustenance of life and the growth of organisms.

Methods and results: We explore the intricate relationship between energy metabolism, protein synthesis, regulatory mechanisms, protein sources, amino acid availability, and autophagy in order to elucidate how these elements collectively maintain cellular homeostasis. We underscore the vital role this dynamic interplay has in preserving cell life.

Conclusions: A deeper understanding of the link between energy and protein synthesis is essential to comprehend fundamental cellular processes. This insight could have a wide-ranging impact in several medical fields, such as nutrition, metabolism, and disease management.

Keywords: AMPK; amino acids; autophagy; energy; entropy; mTOR; protein synthesis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Author Francesco S. Dioguardi was employed by the company Nutri-Research s.r.l. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic representation of the interaction between AMPK and mTOR and their influence on energy (ATP) production.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Energy levels (amount of ATP) regulate the levels of both protein synthesis and autophagy. The production of ATP through the Krebs cycle provides the energy necessary for protein synthesis by activating mTORC1. However, it also produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), which have been shown to induce autophagy. Low energy levels resulting from the consumption of ATP for the construction of thousands of peptide bonds necessary for protein synthesis activate AMPK, which in turn inhibits mTORC1 and activates autophagy, providing substrates to support ATP production. ULK1, Unc-51-Like Kinase 1.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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