Cell-autonomous control of growth and metabolism are acquired upon cell transformation by mutation. Cells in a normal tissue (left-hand diagram) are constrained in their growth by their environment (depicted as green lines). During the development of a tumor (right-hand diagram), cells acquire mutations that allow growth outside the context of normal tissue development. As a result, metabolic pathways are reorganized and metabolism is altered to allow for cell-autonomous growth.
Locasale and Cantley BMC Biology 2010 8:88 doi:10.1186/1741-7007-8-88