Question

The Myc oncogene enhances anaplerotic glutamine utilization and as a consequence becomes dependent on exogenous supplied glutamine.

A)  True    

B)  False

Answer 1

The statement given is true.

Explanation:-

In prostrate cancer, androgen receptor,c-Myc and mTOR collectively act to increase the expression of glutamine transporters to facilitate glutamine uptake and cancer cell growth. c-Myc is known to be enhancing the glutamine usage by upregulating glutaminase, which helps in converting the glutamine to glutamate, which is catabolized in the TCA cycle. In Myc transformed cells,glutamine deprivation could disrupt TCA cycle and induce cell death. This can be prevented when the cells will overcome glutamine deficiency. So, exogenous supply of glutamine is needed. It is found that exogenous addition of asparagine on glutamine deficient cells increases the levels of glutamine synthetase,the enzyme which is responsible for de novo sysnthesis of glutamine and subsequently enhances the incorporation of glucose carbons to glutamine. It should be noted that asparagine could not enhance cell growth and protein synthesis when inhibited genetically or pharmacologically.