Integrative analysis of rewired central metabolism in temozolomide resistant cells

An authenticated U87MG clonal glioblastoma cell line was investigated to identify a sub-population of neurospheroidal (NSP) cells within the main epithelial population (U87MG). The NSP cells sorted using Fluorescence Assisted Cell Sorting (FACS) showed varied morphology, 30% lower growth rates, 40% higher IC₅₀ values for temozolomide drug and could differentiate into the glial cell type (NDx). Metabolite profiling using HR-LCMS identified glucose, glutamine and serine in both populations and tryptophan only in U87MG as growth limiting substrates. Glycine, alanine, glutamate and proline were secreted by U87MG, however proline and glycine were re-utilized in NSP. Exo-metabolite profiling and phenotypic microarrays identified differential metabolism of primary carbon sources glucose and derived pyruvate for U87MG; glutamine and derived glutamate metabolism in NSP. Differential mRNA abundance of AKT1, PTEN, PIK3CA controlling metabolism, drug efflux, nutrient transport and epigenetic control MDM2 are potentially critical in shaping DNA methylation effects of temozolomide. Our study provides a new insight into the combined effect of these factors leading to temozolomide resistance in NSP.