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. The gene discussed is SLC1A1; the disease is cancer.