Fig. 2

Increased glutaminolysis and the role of the mitochondria in cancer cells. The mitochondria of cancer cells switch from the canonical function of oxidative phosphorylation and ATP production to synthesis of anabolic intermediates that can be utilized for lipid and amino acid synthesis. This is supported by high rates of glutaminolysis, Glutamine is converted to glutamate by glutaminase, and glutamate is then transaminated into α-ketoglutarate, which contributes to citrate and malate synthesis. Both of these metabolites can then be exported from the mitochondria, malate converted to pyruvate and then lactate to produce NADPH. Citrate can also be metabolized to α-ketoglutarate, synthesizing NADPH, or alternatively be channeled into lipid synthesis. PDH pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, MDH malate dehydrogenase, SDH succinate dehydrogenase, α-KGDH α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex, CS citrate synthase, TA transaminase, GDC glutamate dehydrogenase