In malignant cancer cells, the expression level of the metabolic enzyme phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate amidotransferase (PPAT), which transfers the nitrogen from glutamine to nucleic acid precursors, was markedly increased, whereas the metabolic enzyme responsible for glutaminolysis, namely, glutaminase (GLS) was decreased, indicating a shift toward nucleotide biosynthesis. Here, PPAT is linked to cancer.