Cancer metabolism: The volatile signature of glycolysis - In vitro model in lung cancer cells

Tali Feinberg, Jens Herbig, Ingrid Kohl, Guy Las, John C. Cancilla, Jose S. Torrecilla, Maya Ilouze, Hossam Haick, Nir Peled

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

Discovering the volatile signature of cancer cells is an emerging approach in cancer research, as it may contribute to a fast and simple diagnosis of tumors in vivo and in vitro. One of the main contributors to such a volatile signature is hyperglycolysis, which characterizes the cancerous cell. The metabolic perturbation in cancer cells is known as the Warburg effect; glycolysis is preferred over oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), even in the presence of oxygen. The precise mitochondrial alterations that underlie the increased dependence of cancer cells on aerobic glycolysis for energy generation have remained a mystery. We aimed to profile the volatile signature of the glycolysis activity in lung cancer cells. For that an in vitro model, using lung cancer cell line cultures (A549, H2030, H358, H322), was developed. The volatile signature was measured by proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry under normal conditions and glycolysis inhibition. Glycolysis inhibition and mitochondrial activity were also assessed by mitochondrial respiration capacity measurements. Cells were divided into two groups upon their glycolytic profile (PET positive and PET negative). Glycolysis blockade had a unique characteristic that was shared by all cells. Furthermore, each group had a characteristic volatile signature that enabled us to discriminate between those sub-groups of cells. In conclusion, lung cancer cells may have different subpopulations of cells upon low and high mitochondrial capacity. In both groups, glycolysis blockade induced a unique volatile signature.

Original languageEnglish
Article number016008
JournalJournal of Breath Research
Volume11
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Mar 2017
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • cancer metabolism
  • glycolysis inhibit
  • hyperglycolysis
  • lung cancer
  • volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine

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