Energy metabolism is a fundamental process that fuels most cellular activities and ensures the maintenance of vital cell functions. The primary objective of energy metabolism is usually the generation of ATP; however, energy metabolism also has additional roles in cell signalling. Energy metabolism involves the various processes by which cells generate or utilize energy in the form of ATP. Key features of energy metabolism include: 1) Glycolysis, the initial step of energy metabolism occurring in the cytoplasm. Glucose, a six-carbon sugar molecule, is broken down into two molecules of pyruvate, producing a small amount of ATP and NADH. Glycolysis can occur under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions; 2) The citric acid cycle (Krebs Cycle), which takes place in the mitochondria and is a series of enzymatic reactions that complete the breakdown of glucose. Pyruvate, derived from glycolysis, enters the citric acid cycle, and undergoes oxidation to produce ATP, NADH, FADH2, and CO2; 3) oxidative phosphorylation, the final step of energy metabolism which occurs in the inner mitochondrial membrane. It involves the electron transport chain, where electrons from NADH and FADH2 are transferred through a series of protein complexes, leading to the generation of a proton gradient. This proton gradient drives ATP synthesis through the enzyme ATP synthase, resulting in the production of a large amount of ATP; 4) fatty acid oxidation, the process that breaks down fatty acids into acetyl-CoA, which then enters the citric acid cycle for ATP production. This process is important for energy metabolism when glucose availability is limited. Energy metabolism can also play additional roles in cell signalling beyond ATP production. For example, the AMP-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) is activated when ATP levels are low or cellular energy is compromised. Activated AMPK phosphorylates a variety of target proteins, modulating various signalling pathways involved in cell growth, metabolism, and stress response. AMPK activation can also influence gene expression, leading to adaptations that act to restore cellular energy balance. Energy status also plays a crucial role in mTOR signalling. Low energy availability, sensed by AMPK, inhibits mTOR signalling, whilst high energy availability promotes mTOR activation. This intricate interplay between energy metabolism and mTOR signalling regulates cellular processes such as autophagy, nutrient sensing, and cell survival. NAD+ is a coenzyme involved in redox reactions and serves as a critical mediator of cellular energy metabolism. NAD+-dependent enzymes, such as sirtuins (SIRTs), participate in various cellular processes, including gene expression, DNA repair, and cellular metabolism. SIRTs also act as nutrient sensors thereby linking energy metabolism to cellular signalling by modulating the acetylation status of target proteins, influencing their activity. Finally, metabolites generated through energy metabolism can themselves act as signalling molecules. For example, the ratio of ATP to ADP/AMP levels acts as a metabolic signal that influences the activity of various enzymes and signalling pathways. Additionally, the production of metabolites, such as acetyl-CoA, NADH, and reactive oxygen species (ROS), can impact signalling events by modifying the activity of cellular proteins and influencing gene expression. We offer a comprehensive product catalogue of research reagents for investigating energy metabolism, including GAPDH antibodies, NCF1 antibodies, Cytochrome C antibodies, IGF1 ELISA Kits, and Creatine Kinase MM ELISA Kits. Explore our full energy metabolism product range below and discover more, for less.