Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026
08:13
Manipulation and Analysis of Cell Cycle-Dependent Processes in Budding Yeast
Published on: September 26, 2025
Robust cell size checkpoint from spatiotemporal positive feedback loop in fission yeast
1School of Mathematical Sciences, Soochow University, Suzhou 215006, China.
Biomed Research International
|August 20, 2013
Summary
Cell size is controlled by a checkpoint mechanism that links cell size to division. Mathematical modeling in fission yeast reveals how protein feedback loops and spatial cues ensure robust cell size regulation.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Systems Biology
- Mathematical Biology
Background:
- Cell proliferation requires precise control of cell size.
- Cell size checkpoints couple cell growth to cell division.
- Fission yeast utilizes protein synthesis rates and spatial cues for size regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the mechanisms of the cell size checkpoint in fission yeast.
- To investigate the role of spatiotemporal regulations in cell size control.
- To model the interplay between positive feedback loops and spatial information.
Main Methods:
- Development of a mathematical model incorporating spatiotemporal regulations.
- Bifurcation analysis to study system dynamics.
- Analysis of positive feedback loops involving Cdc2, Cdc25, and Wee1.
- Investigation of the role of the Pom1 kinase.
Main Results:
- Mathematical model demonstrates bistability in the mitosis-promoting factor (MPF) with cell size.
- Positive feedback loops create a switch-like response, generating the cell size checkpoint.
- Spatial regulation by Pom1 kinase enhances the robustness of the size checkpoint.
- Model predictions align with experimental observations in fission yeast.
Conclusions:
- Spatiotemporal regulation and positive feedback are crucial for the cell size checkpoint.
- The Pom1 kinase plays a significant role in ensuring reliable cell size control.
- Mathematical modeling provides insights into the quantitative mechanisms of cell size homeostasis.
Related Concept Videos
02:36Cells Coordinate Growth and Proliferation
Cell size is a significant factor impacting cellular design, function, and fitness. There exists some internal coordination by which cells double their masses before division, thus, achieving homeostasis. Coordination between cell growth and proliferation depends on the checkpoints in between cell cycle phases. Loss of coordination or failure in the checkpoint mechanism can drive the cell to uncontrolled growth and loss of cellular function. Like dividing cells that coordinate cellular growth,...
02:36Cells Coordinate Growth and Proliferation
Cell size is a significant factor impacting cellular design, function, and fitness. There exists some internal coordination by which cells double their masses before division, thus, achieving homeostasis. Coordination between cell growth and proliferation depends on the checkpoints in between cell cycle phases. Loss of coordination or failure in the checkpoint mechanism can drive the cell to uncontrolled growth and loss of cellular function. Like dividing cells that coordinate cellular growth,...
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...
01:23Negative Regulator Molecules
Positive regulators allow a cell to advance through cell cycle checkpoints. Negative regulators have an equally important role as they terminate a cell’s progression through the cell cycle—or pause it—until the cell meets specific criteria.