Notably, the low expression of NEDD4L in pancreatic cancer cells caused ULK1- and ASCT2-mediated autophagy as well as ASCT2-mediated glutamine uptake to provide adequate fuel to activate mitochondrial metabolism and enhance mitochondrial functional integrity, thereby preventing cell death and further facilitating the tumor growth (Lee et al. 2020a). This evidence concerns the gene ULK1 and pancreatic neoplasm.