REGULATION OF GLUCOSE-METABOLISM IN GROWING YEAST-CELLS

Glucose as the predominant carbon source for most organisms plays the central role in many metabolic pathways thus strongly influencing cell reproductive cycles and product synthesis. Although the control of its uptake and metabolism has therefore always been of great interest the underlying regulatory phenomena are still far from being finally understood. Particularly, in yeast, respective studies have long been hampered by an unclear terminology and insufficient knowledge of the regulatory typing of yeast cells. In addition it is necessary to think in terms of fluxes and dynamics rather than concentrations when addressing these regulatory questions. With the aid of today's reactor technology and advanced analytical power respective data are collected by this dynamic approach and have to be compared to those obtained by genetic experiments with regulatory mutants representing a first attempt towards a marriage between genetics and physiology. The combined efforts should provide insight into nature's amazing ability to regulate glucose uptake and metabolism.