Yeast Cell Cycle & Translation Control

Overview

This project reviews Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes central to cell cycle regulation with emphasis on novel translational control mechanisms discovered in 2024. The focus bridges classical cell cycle biology with emerging understanding of how translation factors and ribosome dynamics control cell-cycle-dependent gene expression independent of transcriptional regulation.

Key Research Areas

1. G1 Phase & Cell Cycle Entry - Transcriptional and translational mechanisms controlling Start
2. Cyclin-CDK Complexes - CLN (G1 cyclins), CLB (S/G2/M cyclins) and regulation
3. Cell Size Checkpoint Control - Cln3, Whi5, and emerging translational checkpoints
4. mRNA Translation During Cell Cycle - Global and gene-specific translation changes
5. Ribosome Biogenesis - Coupled to cell cycle and cell size
6. CDK Inhibitors & Regulation - Sic1, Cdk inhibition mechanisms

Biological Significance

• Conservation - Cell cycle mechanisms highly conserved in higher eukaryotes
• Translation as regulatory layer - Post-transcriptional control drives cell-cycle timing
• Cell size sensing - Novel mechanisms linking growth, ribosome capacity, and cycle entry
• Disease relevance - Cancer cells dysregulate similar mechanisms
• Synthetic biology - Engineering cell cycle timing for biotechnology

Project Goals

• Review genes controlling G1-S transition with focus on translational regulation
• Assess GO annotations for cell-cycle-dependent translation control
• Identify genes at intersection of ribosome biogenesis and cell cycle
• Propose refined annotations reflecting translational checkpoints
• Create reference for cell cycle regulation research

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STATUS

Last updated: 2025-12-30

Genes to Review

G1 Cyclins & Cell Cycle Entry

• [ ] CLN3 - G1 cyclin (cell size sensor, upstream of translational control)
• [ ] CLN1 - G1 cyclin (redundant with CLN2)
• [ ] CLN2 - G1 cyclin (critical output of Start mechanism)
• [ ] SIC1 - CDK inhibitor (Clb-CDK inhibitor)
• [ ] WHI5 - CKI (transcriptional repressor of G1-S genes)

S/G2/M Cyclins & Checkpoint Control

• [ ] CLB5 - S-phase cyclin (replication licensing)
• [ ] CLB6 - S-phase cyclin (replication licensing)
• [ ] CLB1 - M-phase cyclin
• [ ] CLB2 - M-phase cyclin

CDK & Cell Cycle Kinases

• [ ] CDC28 - CDK (master cell cycle kinase)
• [ ] DBF4 - Cdc7 binding partner (licensing factor)
• [ ] SWE1 - CDK inhibitor (checkpoint control)

Ribosome Biogenesis & Translation

• [ ] RPS3 - 40S ribosomal subunit protein
• [ ] RPL3 - 60S ribosomal subunit protein
• [ ] IMP3 - Ribosome biogenesis factor
• [ ] SHE2 - Ribosome biogenesis factor
• [ ] RRN3 - rRNA transcription factor

Translation Factors & Regulators

• [ ] EIF1 - Translation initiation factor
• [ ] EIF2A - Translation initiation factor
• [ ] EIF3 - Translation initiation factor
• [ ] TIF1 - Eukaryotic initiation factor 4A (DEAD-box helicase)

Cell Size & Growth Control

• [ ] TOR1 - Target of rapamycin (growth/nutrient sensing)
• [ ] MSN2 - Stress response transcription factor

Progress

• Total genes: 23
• Reviewed: 0
• In progress: 0
• Completed: 0

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NOTES

2025-12-30

• Project initialized
• Focus: cell cycle entry, G1-S transition, translational checkpoints
• Selected 23 genes spanning cyclins, CDK machinery, ribosome biogenesis, and translation factors
• Emphasis on emerging translational control mechanisms (Cln3/Whi5 regulatory circuits)
• Ready to begin gene review workflow