Succinate: a metabolic signal in inflammation

Succinate is an intermediate of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and plays a crucial role in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) generation in mitochondria. Recently, new roles for succinate outside metabolism have emerged. Succinate stabilizes the transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in specific tumors and in activated macrophages, and stimulates dendritic cells via its receptor succinate receptor 1. Furthermore, succinate has been shown to post-translationally modify proteins. This expanding repertoire of functions for succinate suggests a broader role in cellular activation. We review the new roles of succinate and draw parallels to other metabolites such as NAD⁺ and citrate whose roles have expanded beyond metabolism and into signaling.