title: Human renal carcinoma: asparagine independence with asparaginase susceptibility in culture.
abstract: A human renal carcinoma cell line (Caki-1) was examined for asparagine (Asn) dependence and susceptibility to Escherichia coli asparaginase. Because this enzyme hydrolyzes glutamine (Gln) as well as Asn, even though at only 2-3% the rate, Asn- Gln+ and Asn- Gln- media were prepared. Only the former supported Caki growth. The Asn- Gln- medium was then repleted with Asn, Gln, or both. Although Asn repletion failed to promote growth, addition of Gln alone or the combination supported growth as well as complete medium. With [3H]leucine and [3H]mannose incorporation to indicate protein and glycoprotein synthesis, respectively, the Gln repleted medium supported these processes as well as complete medium. Asparaginase added to complete medium was highly toxic to the Caki cells, but this is a reflection of Gln depletion rather than Asn depletion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75235-9031.
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Prager
authors.forename: F S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Baechtel
mesh_terms: D001215:Asparaginase / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001217:Aspartate-Ammonia Ligase / Q000378:metabolism*; D002455:Cell Division; D002460:Cell Line; D003470:Culture Media; D005973:Glutamine / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D008025:Ligases / Q000378:metabolism*; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D003470:Culture Media; D005973:Glutamine; D001215:Asparaginase; D008025:Ligases; D001217:Aspartate-Ammonia Ligase