Question

1. The Warburg effect is exploited in an imaging technique that is commonly used to detect tumors. An individual is dosed with a molecule labeled with a radioactive isotope of fluorine (18F). The labeled molecule is preferentially taken up by cancer cells and is detected by positron emission tomography (PET scanning). Which of the following molecules would you label with 18F to detect tumors via the Warburg effect?
2. Acetyl CoA
3. Glucose
4. Lactate
5. Pyruvate

Explain:

Answer 1

Option B, glucose

PET scan stand for positron emission topography. It use radioactive substance to trace the tumor. Due to high rate of metabolism, these cell take more of tracer than normal cell. Fluorescent labelled glucose ( FDG) is used as tracer . As due to high metabolic rate they uptake more and more amount of glucose ( in cancer celll , glycolysis is main pathway which provide energy source) . So tumor cell appear fluorescent labelled due to uptake of more FDG.