How Limiting Serine Affects Muscle Wasting in Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Pranzini Erica, Muccillo Livio, Nesi Ilaria, Santi Alice, Mancini Caterina, Lori Giulia, Genovese Massimo, Lottini Tiziano, Comito Giuseppina, Caselli Anna, Arcangeli Annarosa, Sabatino Lina, Colantuoni Vittorio, Taddei Maria Letizia, Cirri Paolo, Paoli Paolo
Primary Institution: University of Florence
Hypothesis
Tumor-induced alterations in serine availability could contribute to muscle wasting during cancer cachexia.
Conclusion
Decreased serine availability during tumor progression promotes muscle wasting by impairing protein synthesis and increasing protein degradation.
Supporting Evidence
- Serine is the second most-consumed amino acid by cancer cells.
- Decreased serine availability leads to muscle atrophy in mice models.
- Serine dietary deprivation exacerbates cancer-associated weight loss.
- Serine supplementation can rescue muscle wasting in cancer models.
- Low-serine conditions impair the AKT-mTORC1 pathway in muscle cells.
- Serine starvation increases oxidative stress in muscle fibers.
- Muscle regeneration is impaired under serine limitation.
Takeaway
When cancer cells use up too much serine, it makes muscles weaker and smaller, which is a problem for people with cancer.
Methodology
The study used in vitro and in vivo models to analyze the effects of serine availability on muscle cells and cancer progression.
Limitations
The study primarily focused on specific cancer types and may not generalize to all forms of cancer cachexia.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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