Metabolic cycle, cell cycle, and the finishing kick to Start.
Slowly growing budding yeast store carbohydrate, then liquidate it in late G1 phase of the cell cycle, superimposing a metabolic cycle on the cell cycle. This metabolic cycle may separate biochemically incompatible processes. Alternatively it may provide a burst of energy and material for commitment to the cell cycle. Stored carbohydrate could explain the size requirement for cells passing the Start point.
Futcher
Bruce
B
Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA. bfutcher@ms.cc.sunysb.edu