By way of introduction: I'm part of a research group studying how to use
changes in cellular energy-metabolism activity to indicate changes in the
physiological states of cultured cells, e.g., as a pretty generic
functional assay for receptor activation. The basic idea is that energy
metabolism is involved with so many cellular processes that its rate is
likely to serve as a good general reporter of physiological changes. This
has been a very successful approach.
We have an instrument, called a microphysiometer, that measures the rate at
which cells excrete acidic metabolites (lactic acid, CO2) as an indicator
of metabolic activity, using a micro flow chamber and a semiconductor-based
pH sensor. [Review references, for those interested, include Owicki &
Parce (1991) Biosens. Bioelectronics 7:255; McConnell et al (1992) Science
257:1906; Owicki et al. (1994) Ann Rev. Biophys. Biomol Struct. 23:87-113].
Here's the question: Does anyone in this newsgroup have any favorite
papers or books that he/she thinks particularly shed light on the control
of energy metabolism in cultured cells? I do the obvious Medline
searches, but that doesn't guarantee that I catch everything I should.
Understanding the control of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation in
the various kinds of cultured cells that we use very quickly gets into
issues far beyond the level treated in standard biochem texts, and I'm
always on the lookout for good quantitative treatments. Issues of interest
to us include the balance between glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation,
as well as compartmentation of energy use and production (i.e., some
processes get their ATP from glycolysis, some from ox. phos. in the same
cell).
Thanks.
Jack Owicki
