Rapid and reversible regulation of cell cycle progression in budding yeast using optogenetics
- 1Molecular Systems Biology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences & Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
- 2Molecular Genetics, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences & Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
Abstract
The complexity of the eukaryotic cell cycle complicates experiment design and data interpretation, limiting our understanding of how cells coordinate cell cycle processes. Traditional perturbation methods, including knockouts, deletions, and arrest-inducing chemicals, are limited by compensatory feedback interactions or pleiotropic side effects. Inducible synthetic systems offer greater specificity but often rely on external inducers, making rapid reversibility difficult. Here, we developed OPTO-Cln2, an optogenetic tool for light-controlled and reversible regulation of G1 progression in budding yeast. Using time-lapse microscopy, we show that OPTO-Cln2-strains rapidly switch between normal and altered G1 progression. Combining OPTO-Cln2 with a readout of TORC1 and PKA activity, we find that oscillatory signaling dynamics is coordinated with G1 progression. Finally, we show that OPTO-Cln2 enables at least two cycles of synchronous arrest and release in liquid cultures. This system provides a powerful approach for studying cell cycle dynamics and the coordination of cell growth with division.
Related
- Oxygen drives a rapid, reversible photoprotective switch in photosynthetic antennae
- Rapid, reversible RNA/DNA precipitation using rare earth ion coordination
- Progress in research on gut microbiota regulation of tumorigenesis, progression, and therapeutic response via inflammatory cytokines
- Diverse patterns of transcriptional regulation and epigenetic reprogramming within PMDs contribute to ESCC progression by regulating EMT and immunosuppression.
- Spatiotemporal Redox Regulation of Cell-Cycle Progression: Dynamic Functions of Cellular Redox Regulatory Proteins.
BibTeX
@article{koutsoumpa2026rapid,
title = {{Rapid and reversible regulation of cell cycle progression in budding yeast using optogenetics}},
author = {Andriana Koutsoumpa and Catherine Loukogiannaki and Danny Incarnato and Andreas Milias-Argeitis},
journal = {Cell Reports Methods},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1016/j.crmeth.2026.101541},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crmeth.2026.101541},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Rapid and reversible regulation of cell cycle progression in budding yeast using optogenetics
AU - Andriana Koutsoumpa
AU - Catherine Loukogiannaki
AU - Danny Incarnato
AU - Andreas Milias-Argeitis
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/30
JO - Cell Reports Methods
DO - 10.1016/j.crmeth.2026.101541
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crmeth.2026.101541
AB - The complexity of the eukaryotic cell cycle complicates experiment design and data interpretation, limiting our understanding of how cells coordinate cell cycle processes. Traditional perturbation methods, including knockouts, deletions, and arrest-inducing chemicals, are limited by compensatory feedback interactions or pleiotropic side effects. Inducible synthetic systems offer greater specificity but often rely on external inducers, making rapid reversibility difficult. Here, we developed OPTO-Cln2, an optogenetic tool for light-controlled and reversible regulation of G1 progression in budding yeast. Using time-lapse microscopy, we show that OPTO-Cln2-strains rapidly switch between normal and altered G1 progression. Combining OPTO-Cln2 with a readout of TORC1 and PKA activity, we find that oscillatory signaling dynamics is coordinated with G1 progression. Finally, we show that OPTO-Cln2 enables at least two cycles of synchronous arrest and release in liquid cultures. This system provides a powerful approach for studying cell cycle dynamics and the coordination of cell growth with division.
SN - 2667-2375
ER -