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Cells Coordinate Growth and Proliferation

Cells 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,...

Cells Coordinate Growth and Proliferation

Cells Coordinate Growth and Proliferation

The Cell Cycle Control System

The 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...

The Cell Cycle Control System

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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...

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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.
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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.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 28, 2026

Automated Measurement of Cryptococcal Species Polysaccharide Capsule and Cell Body

Automated Measurement of Cryptococcal Species Polysaccharide Capsule and Cell Body

Published on: January 11, 2018

Capsule growth in Cryptococcus neoformans is coordinated with cell cycle progression.

Rocío García-Rodas¹, Radames J B Cordero², Nuria Trevijano-Contador¹

¹Mycology Reference Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.

|June 19, 2014

Summary

The fungal pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans enlarges its capsule primarily during the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Disrupting cell cycle regulation, particularly G1 arrest, leads to larger capsules and impacts virulence.

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Last Updated: Apr 28, 2026

Automated Measurement of Cryptococcal Species Polysaccharide Capsule and Cell Body

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Published on: January 11, 2018

Size Matters: Measurement of Capsule Diameter in Cryptococcus neoformans

Size Matters: Measurement of Capsule Diameter in Cryptococcus neoformans

Published on: February 27, 2018

Manipulation and Analysis of Cell Cycle-Dependent Processes in Budding Yeast

Manipulation and Analysis of Cell Cycle-Dependent Processes in Budding Yeast

Published on: September 26, 2025

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Cell Biology
Mycology

Background:

Cryptococcus neoformans is a significant global fungal pathogen.
Its primary virulence factor is a polysaccharide capsule, which can enlarge during infection.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the relationship between Cryptococcus neoformans capsule enlargement and its cell cycle.
To identify cell cycle phases critical for capsule growth and assess the impact on virulence.

Main Methods:

Real-time visualization of capsule growth.
Chemical agents (benomyl, sirolimus) to induce cell cycle arrest.
Characterization of a G1/S cyclin (Cln1) mutant.
In vivo (Galleria mellonella) and in vitro virulence assays.
Proteomic analysis of mutant strains.

Main Results:

Capsule growth predominantly occurs during the G1 phase, preceding budding.
G1 arrest (sirolimus) increased capsule size, while G2/M arrest (benomyl) inhibited it.
A cln1 mutant exhibited enhanced capsule enlargement, increased extracellular vesicles, and altered glyoxylate acid cycle activity.
The cln1 mutant showed reduced virulence at 37°C and lower intracellular replication rates in macrophages.

Conclusions:

Cell cycle regulatory elements, particularly G1 phase progression, are crucial for modulating Cryptococcus neoformans capsule size.
Cell cycle manipulation offers potential as a novel antifungal strategy targeting both fungal growth and virulence.