Robustness of Yeast Cell Cycle under Stress Conditions

From Q-bio

We employ ODE models to investigate cell cycle regulation [1] and the integration of stress responses in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The adaptation of the cells to environmental changes such as nutrient supply, pheromone stimulation or osmotic stress is mediated by signaling pathways that both directly interfere with the cell cycle machinery and eventually regulate the expression of many genes. The products of such genes, in turn, regulate the metabolism or the cell cycle progression in order to compensate for or adapt to the external stimuli. We specifically analyze the response under different stress conditions or using certain mutants. Simulations reveal which system properties contribute to the robustness of the system and enlighten the roles of different components in the adaptation process.

1. Barberis, M., et al., Cell Size at S Phase Initiation: an Emergent Property of the G1/S Network PLoS Comput Biol, 2007. 3(4).