Cell Synchrony

Book excerpt: Cell Synchrony: Studies in Biosynthetic Regulation focuses on the processes, principles, applications, methodologies, and approaches involved in biosynthetic regulation, including chromosome replication, cellular biosynthesis, and enzyme synthesis. The selection first takes a look at the theory of synchronous cultures, synchronous replication of the chromosome in Bacillus subtilis, and chromosome replication in Escherichia coli. Discussions focus on attempts to characterize the physical state of replicating DNA, cell division and the regulation of chromosome replication, regulation of sequential chromosome synthesis, synchrony of chromosome replication, and determination of the cell doubling-time distribution function from the decay of synchronization. The text then examines nuclear events in synchronously dividing yeast cultures, periodic enzyme synthesis in synchronous cultures of yeast, and light-induced synchronous sporulation of a myxomycete. Topics include periodicity of enzyme synthesis, use of synchronous cultures for studying cellular biosynthesis, and cytological observations on synchronously dividing cultures. The book explores the effects of temperature on the mitotic cycle of normal and synchronized mammalian cells; behavior of sulfhydryl groups in synchronous division; and morphogenetic and macromolecular aspects of synchronized Tetrahymena. The selection is highly recommended for researchers interested in biosynthetic regulation.