Glycolytic metabolism in cultured cells of the nervous system. II. Regulation of pyruvate and lactate metabolism in the C-6 glioma cell line.

Pyruvate and lactate efflux from C-6 glioma cells has been found to be regulated by both the medium glucose concentration and the medium concentration of the two acids. Each moves down a concentration gradient until the extracellular level is in equilibrium with the intracellular. Long-term growth studies demonstrated that the cells preferentially utilize glucose but that once it is depleted, they will take up first pyruvate, followed by lactate, for further metabolism. Changes in the intracellular levels of the two metabolites correspond to those seen in the medium. The rate of glycogen breakdown parallels that of medium glucose ultilization. Preliminary results with the C-1300 neuroblastoma cells showed pyruvate and lactate efflux rates comparable to those of the glioma cells.