Cell Size Control in Yeast

• Published in: Current biology Vol. 22; no. 9; pp. R350 - R359
• Main Authors: Turner, Jonathan J., Ewald, Jennifer C., Skotheim, Jan M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Inc 08-05-2012
• Subjects: cell cycle; cell growth; Cell Size; eukaryotic cells; Molecular modelling; physiology; Salmonella typhimurium - pathogenicity; Titration; yeasts
• ISSN: 0960-9822; 1879-0445
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2012.02.041

Cell size is an important adaptive trait that influences nearly all aspects of cellular physiology. Despite extensive characterization of the cell-cycle regulatory network, the molecular mechanisms coupling cell growth to division, and thereby controlling cell size, have remained elusive. Recent work in yeast has reinvigorated the size control field and suggested provocative mechanisms for the distinct functions of setting and sensing cell size. Further examination of size-sensing models based on spatial gradients and molecular titration, coupled with elucidation of the pathways responsible for nutrient-modulated target size, may reveal the fundamental principles of eukaryotic cell size control.