*Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the plasma and an additional energy source in tumor cells especially when glycolytic energy production is low due to a high amount of the dimeric form of M2-PK.
*Glutamine and its degradation products glutamate and aspartate are precursors for nucleic acid and serine synthesis.
*Glutaminolysis is insensitive to high concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS).
*Due to the truncation of the citric acid cycle the amount of acetyl-CoA infiltrated in the citric acid cycle is low and acetyl-CoA is available for de novo synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol. The fatty acids can be used for phospholipid synthesis or can be released.
*Fatty acids represent an effective storage vehicle for hydrogen. Therefore, the release of fatty acids is an effective way to get rid of cytosolic hydrogen produced within the glycolytic glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH; EC 1.2.1.9) reaction.
*Glutamate and fatty acids are immunosuppressive. The release of both metabolites may protect tumor cells from immune attacks.
*It has been discussed that the glutamate pool may drive the endergonic uptake of other amino acids by system ASC.
*Glutamine can be converted to citrate without NADH production, uncoupling NADH production from biosynthesis.