NMR Spectroscopy of Alanine Metabolism in Glioblastoma Cells

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is widely-used spectroscopic tool because of its high specificity and use of non-destructive RF waves. Tracking aberrant metabolism in cancer cells is one of the many applications of NMR. The wide chemical shift dispersion of the carbon-13 nucleus allows NMR spectral distinction of the specific metabolites or biochemicals in cancer cells and tissues. In this study, we have investigated the metabolic fate of the amino acid ¹³C-alanine in glioblastoma or brain cancer cells. Our NMR data show that alanine is metabolized quickly into lactate, with pyruvate production as an intermediate metabolite. These results is reminiscent of the Warburg effect wherein there is an overproduction of lactic acid from glucose or pyruvate. The metabolic kinetics of this biochemical reaction will be discussed in the context of potential diagnostic application for glioblastoma.