Cells Avoid Multitasking
Published:11 Aug.2023 Source:University of Groningen
Textbooks will tell you that in dividing cells, the production of new DNA peaks during the S-phase, while production of other macromolecules, such as proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides, continues at more or less the same level. Molecular biologists at the University of Groningen, led by professor Matthias Heinemann, have now discovered that this is not true: protein synthesis shows two peaks, and lipid synthesis peaks once.
To determine the protein synthesis rate, the scientists used an established method of monitoring fluorescent proteins. They also devised a second, more sophisticated method, through which they could validate that protein production appeared to follow the two-wave pattern. It turned out that this sensitivity has peaks at different phases of the cell cycle.
Interestingly, these new measurements concur with their earlier findings, explains Heinemann: 'The cell must activate different biosynthetic pathways to produce amino acids or lipids. Interestingly, these new measurements concur with their earlier findings, explains Heinemann: 'The cell must activate different biosynthetic pathways to produce amino acids or lipids.