Nutrient and Metabolite Sensing

Nutrients and metabolites are generally considered to function mainly as ‘fuels’ or energy sources. However, key metabolites derived from food components, gut microbiota fermentation and from host intermediary metabolism act as important signaling molecules being sensed by intracellular enzymes, and a large number of selective nuclear and cell surface receptors to control metabolism and other functions throughout the body. These metabolite receptors are highly interesting potential novel drug targets.