The Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition Promotes Glutamine Independence by Suppressing GLS2 Expression.

ABSTRACT: Identifying bioenergetics that facilitate the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in breast cancer cells may uncover targets to treat incurable metastatic disease. Metastasis is the number one cause of cancer-related deaths; therefore, it is urgent to identify new treatment strategies to prevent the initiation of metastasis. To characterize the bioenergetics of EMT, we compared metabolic activities and gene expression in cells induced to differentiate into the mesenchymal state with their epithelial counterparts. We found that levels of GLS2, which encodes a glutaminase, are inversely associated with EMT. GLS2 down-regulation was correlated with reduced mitochondrial activity and glutamine independence even in low-glucose conditions. Restoration of GLS2 expressi

SUBMITTER: Ramirez-Pena E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6826439 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature