Organization and cell-cell interaction in starved Saccharomyces cerevisiae colonies.
Cell growth in yeast colonies is a complex process, the control of which is largely unknown. Here we present scanning electron micrographs of Saccharomyces cerevisiae colonies, showing changes in the pattern of cell organization and cell-cell interactions during colony development. In young colonies (</=36 h), cell density is relatively low, and the cells seem to divide in a random orientation. However, as the colonies age, cell density increases and the cells seem to be oriented in a more orderly fashion. Unexpectedly, cells in starved colonies form connecting fibrils. A single connecting fibril 180 +/- 50 nm wide is observed between any two neighboring cells, and the fibrils appear to form a global network. The results suggest a novel type of communication between cells within a colony that may contribute to the ability of the community to cope with starvation.
Varon
M
M
Department of Molecular Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel-Aviv University, Ramat Aviv 69978, Israel.
Choder
M
M
D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure*