The cell cycle is the sequence of events whereby a cell grows, replicates its DNA and divides. During balanced growth there must be some coordination between the synthesis of new cell components--enzymes, structural proteins, membranes, ribosomes, DNA--and the division of a cell: in some average sense, each component must double during the cell cycle and then be fairly divided between the two daughter cells. It is commonly assumed that this coordination is achieved by a molecular mechanism that senses overall increase in cell size and triggers cell division when a target size is reached, provided of course that DNA is fully replicated.
The specific aim of this proposal is to investigate the hypothesis of size-control of cell division by deriving statistical properties of model mechanisms and comparing these theoretical properties with experimental observations of asynchronous, proliferating cell cultures. As bits and pieces of the division-control mechanism are discovered by modern molecular and genetic techniques, the experience gained by the proposed theoretical approach will be valuable in putting together a complete picture of the regulatory system for cell growth and division. Since cell growth and division are fundamental processes in several areas of medical science (e.g., tumor growth, developmental disorders, and the spread of pathogenic microorganisms), basic research on the underlying regulatory mechanisms is vital to the interests of national health.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01GM036809-01
Application #
3291304
Study Section
Cellular Biology and Physiology Subcommittee 1 (CBY)
Project Start
1986-07-01
Project End
1989-06-30
Budget Start
1986-07-01
Budget End
1987-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1986
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
003137015
City
Blacksburg
State
VA
Country
United States
Zip Code
24060
Tyson, J J (1991) Modeling the cell division cycle: cdc2 and cyclin interactions. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 88:7328-32
Tyson, J J; Chen, K C; Lederman, M et al. (1990) Analysis of the kinetic hairpin transfer model for parvoviral DNA replication. J Theor Biol 144:155-69
Tyson, J J (1989) Effects of asymmetric division on a stochastic model of the cell division cycle. Math Biosci 96:165-84
Chen, K C; Tyson, J J; Lederman, M et al. (1989) A kinetic hairpin transfer model for parvoviral DNA replication. J Mol Biol 208:283-96
Tyson, J J (1987) Size control of cell division. J Theor Biol 126:381-91