The design of unit cells by combining the self-reproduction systems and metabolic cushioning loads

Recently, we published a comprehensive theoretical analysis of the self-reproduction processes in proto-cells (doubling of their components) composed of different combinations of cellular subsystems. In this paper, we extend the detailed analysis of structural and functional peculiarities of self-reproduction processes to unit cells of the Cooper-Helmstetter-Donachie cell cycle theory. We show that: 1. Our modelling framework allows to calculate physiological parameters (numbers of cell components, flux patterns, cellular composition, etc.) of unit cells, including also unit cell mass that determines the DNA replication initiation conditions. 2. Unit cells might have additional cell (cushioning) components that are responsible not only for carrying out various special functions, but also for regulating cell size and stabilizing the growth of cells. 3. The optimal productivity of the synthesis of cushioning components (useful cellular load) is observed at doubling time approximately two times longer than the minimal doubling time of the unit cells.