Separate Roles Of Asparagine And Glutamine In Cytostatic Effect Of L-Asparaginase - Stable Isotope Tracing Approach

L-asparaginase (ASNase) is one of the crucial components of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) therapy. Although we have previously shown that ASNase triggers metabolic reprogramming of leukemic cells, the significance and interconnections of the changes have not yet been elucidated. Metabolic reprogramming is an accompanying feature in therapy response and is also triggered by commonly used cytostatic drugs. ASNase hydrolyzes two non-essential amino acids asparagine (Asn) and glutamine (Gln). Therapeutic ASNase concentration used in vitro transforms all Asn and Gln to aspartate (Asp) and glutamate (Glu), respectively.