Branched Chain Amino Acid Ketones, or Ketolysis of Beta Hydroxybutyrate Support Lipogenesis and Tumour Growth

Abstract

The glycolytic and fatty acid sources of mitochondrial acetyl-CoA being impaired or inhibited in tumour cells, they become dependent of ketone bodies for its production and for sustaining their metabolism. The ketone bodies are provided by liver ketogenesis or from ketogenic branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) to produce acetyl-CoA in tumour cells. Two pathways are involved: the ketolytic SCOT-oxct1 route, and the BCAA transaminase - keto dehydrogenase pathway. Acetyl-CoA and in fine succinyl CoA are formed. The two pathways converge at the lipogenic route, supporting tumour progression.