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What is the minimum number of dedicated functions required for a basic cell cycle?

W D Donachie
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Abstract

The genome of Escherichia coli has a coding capacity for about 4500 proteins but only a small number of these appear to be specific for the periodic events (initiation of DNA replication, chromosome partitioning and cell division) that punctuate the cell-duplication cycle: furthermore, many of these cell cycle dedicated functions are dispensible under certain conditions, although their presence undoubtedly increases the fitness of the organism to survive in a competitive environment. A simplified but effective cell replication cycle can probably operate with only a few cycle-dedicated proteins, in addition to those required for cell growth itself.

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Bacterial ProteinsCell CycleCell DivisionCell WallDNA ReplicationDNA, BacterialDNA, FungalEscherichia coliFungal ProteinsGene Expression Regulation, BacterialGene Expression Regulation, FungalGenes, BacterialGenes, FungalYeastsJournal ArticleReview

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W D Donachie. 1992. What is the minimum number of dedicated functions required for a basic cell cycle?. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0959-437x(05)80141-8

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