ACSS2 and cancer: Under metabolic stress, cancer cells efficiently take up acetate via monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) or sodium-coupled monocarboxylate transporter 1 (SMCT1) 28, which is then converted into acetyl-CoA by mitochondria-localized acetyl-CoA synthetase 1 (ACSS1) or nucleocytosol-localized acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2) 42,43.