Can cancer cells make asparagine?

Can cancer cells make asparagine?

Cancer cells also need asparagine to grow and proliferate, even more than normal cells, but most cancer cells cannot produce enough asparagine. They must rely on circulating asparagine in order to survive.

Are cancer cells dependent on ASN?

A very recent contribution (11) demonstrates that in Asn-depleted cancer cells a translational reprogramming, dependent on the increase of MAPK-interacting kinase 1 (MNK1) and eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), promotes enhanced ATF4 translation and, hence, ASNS expression.

Why is asparagine so important?

Asparagine, a non-essential amino acid is important in the metabolism of toxic ammonia in the body through the action of asparagine synthase which attaches ammonia to aspartic acid in an amidation reaction. Asparagine is also used as a structural component in many proteins.

What foods are high in asparagine?

Foods rich in asparagine include dairy, whey, beef, poultry, eggs, fish, seafood, asparagus, potatoes, legumes, nuts, seeds, soy, and whole grains. Foods low in asparagine include most fruits and vegetables.

Is asparagus high in asparagine?

Foods low in asparagine include most fruits and vegetables—except asparagus, from which it was named. Other asparagine-rich foods include dairy products, beef, poultry, eggs, fish, seafood, potatoes, legumes, nuts, seeds, soy, and whole grains.

How does asparagine regulate mTOR?

mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) senses amino acids to control cell growth, metabolism, and autophagy. Like glutamine, asparagine signals to mTORC1 through Arf1 in the absence of the Rag GTPases. Both the Rag-dependent and Rag-independent pathways required the lysosome and lysosomal function for mTORC1 activation.

How is asparagine obtained?

Oxaloacetate is converted to aspartate using a transaminase enzyme. The enzyme transfers the amino group from glutamate to oxaloacetate producing α-ketoglutarate and aspartate. The enzyme asparagine synthetase produces asparagine, AMP, glutamate, and pyrophosphate from aspartate, glutamine, and ATP.

What is asparagine synthetase deficiency?

Asparagine synthetase deficiency is a condition that causes neurological problems in affected individuals starting soon after birth. Most people with this condition have an unusually small head size (microcephaly ) that worsens over time due to loss (atrophy) of brain tissue.

How is asparagine synthesized in the body?

Asparagine is the amide of L-aspartate and is not an essential amino acid. It is synthesized in humans from oxaloacetate in L-asparagine biosynthesis. The amide group carries no charge under physiological pH and is readily hydrolyzed, converting L-asparagine back to L-aspartate.

Is asparagine good for health?

When it comes to the health of the human body, asparagine: Improves the functionality of the liver. Helps improve stamina especially in athletes. Maintains equilibrium in the nervous system.

Is asparagus bad for your kidneys?

Asparagus can act as a natural diuretic, according to a 2010 study published in the West Indian Medical Journal. This can help rid the body of excess salt and fluid, making it especially good for people suffering from edema and high blood pressure. It also helps flush out toxins in kidneys and prevent kidney stones.

Do eggs contain asparagine?

Other asparagine-rich foods include dairy products, beef, poultry, eggs, fish, seafood, potatoes, legumes, nuts, seeds, soy, and whole grains.

What is the function of asparagine synthetase?

Asparagine Synthetase (ASNS) catalyzes the synthesis of the non-essential amino acid asparagine (Asn) from aspartate (Asp) and glutamine (Gln). ASNS expression is highly regulated at the transcriptional level, being induced by both the Amino Acid Response (AAR) and the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR …

Why is bacterial L-asparaginase (asnase) used for cancer treatment?

This peculiarity is the rationale for the use of bacterial L-Asparaginase (ASNase) for ALL therapy, the first example of anti-cancer treatment targeting a tumor-specific metabolic feature. Other hematological and solid cancers express low levels of ASNS and, therefore, should also be Asn auxotrophs and ASNase sensitive.

Why is L-asparaginase used in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) blasts?

Lack of ASNS protein expression is a hallmark of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) blasts, which, therefore, are auxotrophic for Asn. This peculiarity is the rationale for the use of bacterial L-Asparaginase (ASNase) for ALL therapy, the first example of anti-cancer treatment targeting a tumor-specific metabolic feature.

Are Gln and ASP needed for ASN synthesis via ASNs?

Both Gln and Asp are needed for Asn synthesis via ASNS and for an effective cell rescue. The model is mainly based on data obtained with prostate cancer cells by Sun et al. ( 27) but it may apply to other low-ASNS cancers.