Metabolites from Animal and Plant Cell Culture

Abstract

This chapter compares transformation of organic compounds in cell cultures of higher plant and animal origin. It includes reports of any metabolites that have been produced by cell cultures, with the exception of cells from insects, invertebrates, and cold-blooded vertebrates. Although animal cells presumably contain all genetic material necessary for totipotentiality, a marked difference between animal and plant cells is noted while demonstrating this phenomenon in culture. Exogenous DNA may alter synthesis of animal cellular products by induction. A large number of proteins have been produced by many types of both plant and animal cells. A number of polysaccharides and glycoproteins, as well as other high molecular weight materials, are produced in the culture of both plant and animal cells. These include the hydroxyproline-containing proteins such as collagen. The chapter closes with the future applications of plant and animal cell cultures. It states that a great deal research on animal cells are toward establishment of long-term continuous cell strains.