13C Kinetic Labeling and Extraction of Metabolites from Adherent Mammalian Cells

Fluctuations in metabolite levels in mammalian cells are the most direct form of readout of the cellular metabolic state. The current protocol describes a method for pulse labeling and subsequent isolation of metabolites from adherent mammalian cells. The isolated metabolites can be identified and quantified by mass-spectrometry, allowing for estimation of the rates of synthesis and removal of metabolites from the system being analyzed.