How do amino acids influence cancer cell metabolism?
Cancer cells exhibit altered metabolism, often referred to as the Warburg effect, where they rely heavily on glycolysis followed by lactic acid fermentation in the cytosol. However, amino acids also play a vital role in cancer cell metabolism. Certain amino acids like glutamine are essential for energy production, as well as for nucleotide and lipid biosynthesis. Glutamine, for instance, can be converted into glutamate and subsequently enter the TCA cycle, providing anaplerotic substrates necessary for sustained cancer cell growth.
