Status of calcium influx in cell cycle of S. cerevisiae

The transport of calcium was assayed in exponentially growing and G1 arrested temperature sensitive cdc mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of Ca2+ influx in cdc 28, cdc 37 and cdc 4 arrested cells, as well as in wild type cells arrested in G1 phase in comparison to exponentially growing cells. There was however a significant increase in Ca2+ uptake in cdc 7 and cdc 24 arrested cells. The former is known to arrest before bud emergence and initiation of DNA synthesis; arrest of the latter affects bud formation while DNA synthesis continues. The results suggest that Ca2+ may have a role in bud formation and growth.