Cell size related changes in transcription and metabolism
In collaboration with the Sauer lab, researcher from Dundee and Singapore University investigated mammalian cell size related differences in cytoskeletal and mitochondrial gene expression as well as in lipid and mitochondrial metabolism.
Using the technique of partial hepatectomy and cdk1 knockout mice, differently sized liver cells were characterized in detail at the transcriptional and metabolic level. Larger cells displayed increased expression of cytoskeletal genes but unexpectedly repressed expression of many genes involved in mitochondrial functions. Larger hepatocytes also displayed a reduction in the expression of lipogenic transcription factors, especially sterol-regulatory element binding proteins. Inhibition of mitochondrial functions and lipid biosynthesis, which is dependent on mitochondrial metabolism, increased the cell size. These regulatory mechanism may provide a possible mechanism for sensing metazoan cell size.
Reference: Miettinen TP, Pessa HK, Caldez MJ, Fuhrer T, Diril MK, Sauer U, Kaldis P, Björklund M. Identification of transcriptional and metabolic programs related to mammalian cell size. Curr Biol. 2014 Mar 17;24(6):598-608. external page DOI