Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026
12:02
Studying Cell Cycle-regulated Gene Expression by Two Complementary Cell Synchronization Protocols
Published on: June 6, 2017
Methods for synchronizing cells at specific stages of the cell cycle.
1U.S.A.M.R.I.I.D., Fort Dietrick, Maryland, USA.
Current Protocols in Cell Biology
|January 30, 2008
Summary
Synchronizing cell cultures improves the detection of cell cycle events. This study details methods like mitotic shake-off and chemical inhibitors (e.g., nocodazole) for cell cycle synchronization.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Exponentially growing cell cultures are typically asynchronous.
- Understanding cell cycle progression is crucial for biological research.
- Specific cell cycle stages are vital for studying particular cellular events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide methods for synchronizing cell cultures.
- To enable enrichment of cells at specific cell cycle stages.
- To improve the detection of cell cycle-related events.
Main Methods:
- Mitotic shake-off based on morphological features.
- Metabolic manipulation, including thymidine inhibition and isoleucine deprivation.
- Chemical inhibitors targeting specific cell cycle phases: G1 (lovastatin), S (aphidicolin, mimosine), and G2/M (nocodazole).
Main Results:
- Demonstration of various cell synchronization techniques.
- Description of the applications of these methods.
- Analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of each synchronization approach.
Conclusions:
- Cell synchronization is a valuable technique for cell cycle research.
- Diverse methods exist, catering to different experimental needs.
- Choosing the appropriate method depends on the specific cell cycle event and experimental context.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:28The Cell Cycle Control System
The cell cycle regulation directs how a cell proceeds from one phase to the next and begins mitosis. The cell cycle control system includes intracellular regulatory molecules and external triggers. They provide "stop" or "advance" signals and operate at specific cell cycle stages termed checkpoints to ensure that a particular process is completed before the cell advances to the next phase.
Cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) are the primary cell cycle regulators and function at the cell...
Cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks) are the primary cell cycle regulators and function at the cell...
02:11The Cell Cycle Control System
The cell cycle is an organized set of events that leads the cell to divide into two daughter cells, each containing chromosomes identical to the parent cell. It is the cell cycle that leads to the formation of an entire organism from a single-cell zygote. Besides, cell division also functions in the renewal or repair of tissues in adult multicellular eukaryotes. For example, in the bone marrow, the stem cells divide to form new blood cells. Although essential for several functions, cell...
02:11The Cell Cycle Control System
The cell cycle is an organized set of events that leads the cell to divide into two daughter cells, each containing chromosomes identical to the parent cell. It is the cell cycle that leads to the formation of an entire organism from a single-cell zygote. Besides, cell division also functions in the renewal or repair of tissues in adult multicellular eukaryotes. For example, in the bone marrow, the stem cells divide to form new blood cells. Although essential for several functions, cell...
02:39Positive Regulator Molecules
Mitotic cell division results in daughter cells that exactly resemble the parent cell. However, errors in the DNA replication or distribution of genetic material may lead to genetic mutations that may be passed down to every new cell formed from the resulting abnormal cell. Propagation of such mutant cells is restricted through checkpoint mechanisms present at different stages of the cell cycle. These checkpoints involve regulator molecules that either promote or demote cell cycle events.
01:45Positive Regulator Molecules
To consistently produce healthy cells, the cell cycle—the process that generates daughter cells—must be precisely regulated.
01:27Molecular Factors Affecting Cell Division
Several external and internal factors influence the initiation and inhibition of cell division. For instance, the death of nearby cells or the release of human growth hormone (hGH) promotes cell division. In contrast, lack of hGH or crowding of cells can inhibit cell division.
Several proteins function as internal regulators to ensure each cell cycle stage is completed faithfully before proceeding to the next. Regulator molecules may act directly or influence the activity or production of other...
Several proteins function as internal regulators to ensure each cell cycle stage is completed faithfully before proceeding to the next. Regulator molecules may act directly or influence the activity or production of other...