A Role for p53 in the Adaptation to Glutamine Starvation through the Expression of SLC1A3 (Cell Metabolism)

Tajan et al. show that the ability of cells to survive glutamine depletion depends on aspartate metabolism, which is supported by the aspartate/glutamate transporter SLC1A3. The tumor suppressor p53 induces SLC1A3 expression. Tumor cells with high SLC1A3 expression are resistant to glutamine starvation, and SLC1A3 depletion retards cell growth.