Control of the yeast cell cycle by protein synthesis

The increased synthesis of ribosomal RNA (rRNA) is correlated with enhanced cell proliferation, and it has been suggested that rRNA metabolism may have a regulatory role in the progression of the cell cycle. Alternatively, it might be the ensuing more active protein synthesis that drives the cell cycle progression. We have found that treatment with low doses of cycloheximide dissociates rRNA and protein synthesis. In fact, after the addition of cycloheximide the protein synthesis rate is strongly inhibited, whereas the rate of rRNA synthesis is unaffected for some time. The progression of the cell cycle, monitored as analysis of DNA distribution by flow cytometry and as bud emergence, is quickly and largely inhibited, thus indicating that a sustained rRNA metabolism is not sufficient to allow continuous cycle progression. The effects of cycloheximide on the daughter and mother duplication times, on the mean cell volume, and on the volume at budding were also analyzed. The results suggest that protein synthesis, rather than rRNA synthesis, may have a key role in the control of cell cycle progression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.