Open AccessCell cycle population effects in perturbation studies
Author(s) -
O'Duibhir Eoghan,
Lijnzaad Philip,
Benschop Joris J,
Lenstra Tineke L,
Leenen Dik,
Groot Koerkamp Marian JA,
Margaritis Thanasis,
Brok Mariel O,
Kemmeren Patrick,
Holstege Frank CP
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
molecular systems biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 8.523
H-Index - 148
ISSN - 1744-4292
DOI - 10.15252/msb.20145172
Subject(s) - biology , cell cycle , cell growth , population , microbiology and biotechnology , gene expression , gene expression profiling , genetics , gene , cell , demography , sociology
Abstract Growth condition perturbation or gene function disruption are commonly used strategies to study cellular systems. Although it is widely appreciated that such experiments may involve indirect effects, these frequently remain uncharacterized. Here, analysis of functionally unrelated S accharyomyces cerevisiae deletion strains reveals a common gene expression signature. One property shared by these strains is slower growth, with increased presence of the signature in more slowly growing strains. The slow growth signature is highly similar to the environmental stress response ( ESR ), an expression response common to diverse environmental perturbations. Both environmental and genetic perturbations result in growth rate changes. These are accompanied by a change in the distribution of cells over different cell cycle phases. Rather than representing a direct expression response in single cells, both the slow growth signature and ESR mainly reflect a redistribution of cells over different cell cycle phases, primarily characterized by an increase in the G1 population. The findings have implications for any study of perturbation that is accompanied by growth rate changes. Strategies to counter these effects are presented and discussed.