GLUL and breast carcinoma: These findings are intriguing because: (a) glutamate uptake and glutamate transporters are enhanced during differentiation and deregulated in cancer cells; (b) SLC1A1 null mice exhibit GSH deficiency and high oxidative stress; (c) GS enzymatic activity is necessary for adaption of mammary cells to glutamine depletion; and (d) data compiled from The Human Protein Atlas indicates that SLC1A1 is reduced and GLUL is increased in human breast cancers relative to normal tissue.