In: Biology
The synthesis of lipids in cancer cells is dependent upon mitochondrial citrate, which is derived from both glucose and glutamine.
A) True
B) False
The statement is true. Cancer cells can utilise both glucose and glutamine in synthesis of lipids. The glucose through glycolysis converts to pyruvate. This pyruvate, then transforms into Acetyl-CoA. Acetyl-CoA enters Krebs' cycle and forms citrate. The citrate is then used to produce lipids.
When mitochondrial respiration is limited, anaplerosis occurs. Anaplerosis is metabolism of glutamine. Glutamine first gets converted into oxaloacetate. From it, the citrate is formed. Citrate from both the processes helps in the lipd biosynthesis. Thus, by altering such metabolic pathways, the nutrient requirements of cancer cells are met.