University of Maryland – SiDMAP paper clarifies the mechanism how rapid fatty acid turnover supports tumor growth while compensating for the Warburg effect

Scientists have long been puzzled by the ability of tumor cells to accomplish aggressive growth by coordinating energy production and biosynthesis via the Warburg effect.  In other words they intensely use glucose for lactate and energy production with less involvement of the mitochondria, or so they thought.  The newly published work shows, using stable 13C isotope labeled glucose as the single tracer, in animals that rapid fatty acid synthesis and breakdown, also known as turnover, provides tumor cells with energy as well as new membrane and signaling molecule synthesis while bypassing mitochondrial metabolism and the need of oxygen for their growth.

More information: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21914785

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