Enzymic Imbalance in Serine Metabolism in Human Colon Carcinoma and Rat Sarcoma
Author Information
Author(s): K. Snell, Y. Natsumedal, J.N. Eble, J.L. Glover, G. Weber
Primary Institution: Indiana University School of Medicine
Hypothesis
Serine utilization for nucleotide synthesis in cancer cells is coupled to an increased capacity for the intracellular synthesis de novo of serine from glycolytic precursors.
Conclusion
The study shows that serine metabolism is reoriented in both rat sarcomas and human colon carcinomas, indicating its importance in cancer cell proliferation.
Supporting Evidence
- 3-phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase activity was increased 32-fold in rat sarcoma compared to normal muscle.
- Serine hydroxymethyltransferase activity was elevated nearly 5-fold in human colon carcinoma compared to normal colon mucosa.
- Serine dehydratase and serine aminotransferase activities were absent in both tumor types.
Takeaway
Cancer cells use more serine to make building blocks for DNA, which helps them grow faster.
Methodology
Enzyme activities were assayed in human colon carcinomas and transplantable rat sarcomas, comparing tumor tissues to normal controls.
Limitations
The small sample size of human cases limits the statistical evaluation of enzyme activity differences.
Participant Demographics
4 male patients aged 64 to 76 years with colon adenocarcinomas.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
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