Somatic oxidative bioenergetics transitions into pluripotency-dependent glycolysis to facilitate nuclear reprogramming

The bioenergetics of somatic dedifferentiation into induced pluripotent stem cells remains largely unknown. Here, stemness factor-mediated nuclear reprogramming reverted mitochondrial networks into cristae-poor structures. Metabolomic footprinting and fingerprinting distinguished derived pluripotent progeny from parental fibroblasts according to elevated glucose utilization and production of glycolytic end products. Temporal sampling demonstrated glycolytic gene potentiation prior to induction of pluripotent markers. Functional metamorphosis of somatic oxidative phosphorylation into acquired pluripotent glycolytic metabolism conformed to an embryonic-like archetype. Stimulation of glycolysis promoted, while blockade of glycolytic enzyme activity blunted, reprogramming efficiency. Metaboproteomics resolved upregulated glycolytic enzymes and downregulated electron transport chain complex I subunits underlying cell fate determination. Thus, the energetic infrastructure of somatic cells transitions into a required glycolytic metabotype to fuel induction of pluripotency.