Lack of amino acids in mouse hepatocytes in culture induces the selection of preneoplastic cells

► Absence of aminoacids induces hepatocyte apoptosis, however some cells escape from cell death. ► Survival cells show higher capacity to proliferate and resist to apoptotic stimuli. ► AKT, mTOR, ERKs and the EGFR pathways are activated in these cells. ► Furthermore, they show adaptation to counteract the oxidative stress.