Cell size and growth rate are major determinants of replicative lifespan

• Published in: Cell cycle (Georgetown, Tex.) Vol. 10; no. 1; pp. 144 - 155
• Main Authors: Yang, Jingye, Dungrawala, Huzefa, Hua, Hui, Manukyan, Arkadi, Abraham, Lesley, Lane, Wesley, Mead, Holly, Wright, Jill, Schneider, Brandt L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Taylor & Francis 01.01.2011; Landes Bioscience
• Subjects: Binding; Biology; Bioscience; Calcium; Cancer; Cell; Cell Division - physiology; Cell Enlargement; Cell Proliferation; Cell Size; Cellular Senescence - physiology; Cycle; Landes; Mutation - physiology; Organogenesis; Proteins; Yeasts - cytology; Yeasts - physiology
• ISSN: 1538-4101; 1551-4005
• DOI: 10.4161/cc.10.1.14455

Yeast cells, like mammalian cells, enlarge steadily as they age. Unabated cell growth can promote cellular senescence; however, the significance of the relationship between size and cellular lifespan is not well understood. Herein, we report a genetic link between cell size, growth rate and lifespan. Mutations that increase cell size concomitantly increase growth rate and decrease lifespan. As a result, large cells grow, divide and age dramatically faster than small cells. Conversely, small cell mutants age slowly and are long-lived. Investigation of the mechanisms involved suggests that attainment of a maximal size modulates lifespan. Indeed, cumulative results revealed that life expectancy is size-dependent, and that the rate at which cells age is determined in large part by the amount of cell growth per generation.