The Role of Metabolism in Cellular Quiescence

Cellular quiescence is a dormant state where cells reduce division and metabolic activity, crucial for processes like tissue regeneration and cancer resistance. Quiescent cells, such as spores and oocytes, reprogram their metabolism to maintain low activity, preventing oxidative damage and preserving nutrients. They exhibit distinct metabolic profiles, including suppressed mitochondrial activity and increased glycogen storage. Understanding these changes is vital for cancer treatment, as quiescent cancer cells can evade therapies and contribute to recurrence. The document suggests targeting metabolic pathways in quiescent cancer stem cells to enhance treatment effectiveness and highlights the need for new approaches to study quiescent cells in vivo.