Abstract
Oscillations in yeast glycolysis have been known for more than six decades.
In spite of intensive experimental and model studies there are still gaps in our understanding
of these glycolytic oscillations, e.g the mechanisms by which they arise,
why they have been preserved throughout evolution, and what their potential functions
in the cell could be. In the current paper new experimental observations will
be presented showing that many variables, that were hitherto considered unrelated
to glycolysis, oscillate synchronously with glycolytic intermediates. Furthermore, a
strong coupling between glycolysis and the polarisation of intracellular water is presented,
suggesting that water has a strong influence on metabolism. This challenges
our current understanding of the mechanism behind the glycolytic oscillations. Finally,
it is proposed that the function of metabolic oscillations is to maintain the cell
in a state of constant low entropy.
In spite of intensive experimental and model studies there are still gaps in our understanding
of these glycolytic oscillations, e.g the mechanisms by which they arise,
why they have been preserved throughout evolution, and what their potential functions
in the cell could be. In the current paper new experimental observations will
be presented showing that many variables, that were hitherto considered unrelated
to glycolysis, oscillate synchronously with glycolytic intermediates. Furthermore, a
strong coupling between glycolysis and the polarisation of intracellular water is presented,
suggesting that water has a strong influence on metabolism. This challenges
our current understanding of the mechanism behind the glycolytic oscillations. Finally,
it is proposed that the function of metabolic oscillations is to maintain the cell
in a state of constant low entropy.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Physics of Biological Oscillations : New Insights into Non-equlibrium and Non-autonomous Systems |
| Editors | Aneta Stefanovska, Peter V. E. McClintock |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Publisher | Springer |
| Publication date | 6. May 2021 |
| Pages | 211-224 |
| Chapter | 13 |
| ISBN (Print) | 978-3-030-59804-4 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 978-3-030-59805-1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 6. May 2021 |
| Series | Understanding Complex Systems |
|---|---|
| ISSN | 1860-0832 |