Serine synthesis and catabolism in starved lung cancer and primary bronchial epithelial cells.

Serine and glycine give rise to important building blocks in proliferating cells. Both amino acids are either synthesized de novo or taken up from the extracellular space. In lung cancer, serine synthesis gene expression is variable, yet, expression of the initial enzyme, phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH), was found to be associated with poor prognosis.

Analysis of Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL) Genes of Non-Invasive ESBL Enterobacterales in Southeast Austria in 2017.

Extended spectrum beta lactamases producing Enterobacteriaceae are a major player in the antibiotic resistance challenge. In general, the situation regarding antibiotic resistance in Austria is very good compared to many other countries. Perhaps this is why there is a lack of data on the distribution of ESBL genes in the clinical setting.

PCK2 opposes mitochondrial respiration and maintains the redox balance in starved lung cancer cells.

Cancer cells frequently lack nutrients like glucose, due to insufficient vascular networks. Mitochondrial phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, PCK2, has recently been found to mediate partial gluconeogenesis and hence anabolic metabolism in glucose starved cancer cells. Here we show that PCK2 acts as a regulator of mitochondrial respiration and maintains the redox balance in nutrient-deprived human lung cancer cells.