Anaplerotic reactions (from the Greek Ana= 'up' and Plerotikos= 'to fill') are those that form intermediates of a metabolic pathway. Examples of such are found in the Tricarboxylic acid (TCA) Cycle (also called the Krebs or citric acid cycle). In normal function of this cycle for respiration, concentrations of TCA intermediates remain constant; however, many biosynthetic reactions also use these molecules as a substrate. Anaplerosis is the act of replenishing TCA cycle intermediates that have been extracted for biosynthesis (in what are called cataplerotic reactions).
The TCA Cycle is a hub of metabolism, with central importance in both energy production and biosynthesis. Therefore, it is crucial for the cell to regulate concentrations of TCA Cycle metabolites in the mitochondria. Anaplerotic flux must balance cataplerotic flux in order to retain homeostasis of cellular metabolism.
Read more about Anaplerotic Reactions: Reactions of Anaplerotic Metabolism, Diseases of Anaplerotic Metabolism
Famous quotes containing the word reactions:
“Prolonged, indiscriminate reviewing of books is a quite exceptionally thankless, irritating and exhausting job. It not only involves praising trash but constantly inventing reactions towards books about which one has no spontaneous feeling whatever.”
—George Orwell (1903–1950)