Question

A 250 words write up on crabtree effect

Answer 1

Answer:

The Crabtree Effect (named after the English biochemist Herbert Grace Crabtree) occurs in metabolically adapted cell lines that are grown in hypoxic/anaerobic conditions with high glucose. These cells have a reduced need for oxidative phosphorylation by the TCA cycle and depend on glycolysis as their major source of energy instead of mitochondria; therefore these cells also have a reduced susceptibility to mitochondrial toxicants. The addition of galactose circumvents the Crabtree Effect and increases the reliance of cells on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation; these cells are more sensitive to mitochondrial toxicity. Therefore, the testing of possibly toxic compounds on cells grown in hypoxic/anaerobic conditions versus those under high galactose tone unveils selective mitochondrial toxicity. The antidepressant imipramine produces cytotoxicity but probably not through effects on mitochondria since cells primarily relying on mitochondria for energy are not more sensitive. In contrast, the insecticide rotenone produces selective toxicity in cells requiring mitochondria for energy (presence of galactose) indicating mitochondrial toxicity.