Nature News
Mating habits of yeast cells studied
Feb 21, 2007, 20:45 GMT
BALTIMORE, MD, United States (UPI) -- U.S. scientists, using a biochemical version of a computer chip, say they`ve solved a long-standing mystery related to the mating habits of yeast cells.
The Johns Hopkins University researchers say their findings shed new light on the way cells send and receive signals in a process called signal transduction that, when impaired, can lead to cancer or other illnesses.
'Yeast is a very simple single-celled organism, but in many respects it operates much like a human cell,' said assistant professor of biomedical engineering Andre Levchenko, who led the research team. 'That`s why it`s been studied for many years -- because what we find out in yeast often holds true for humans as well.
The scientists discovered yeast cells mate by emitting pheromones designed to attract nearby cells of the opposite mating type. When a prospective partner picks up the 'scent,' it sends a projection toward the source of the pheromone, leading to a cellular merger.
The researchers determined the process is regulated by proteins inside the cell called mitogen-activated protein kinases through a chain of chemical reactions.
The study`s findings are detailed in the advance online issue of the journal Nature.
Copyright 2007 by United Press International
Mating habits of yeast cells studied
Feb 21, 2007, 20:45 GMT
BALTIMORE, MD, United States (UPI) -- U.S. scientists, using a biochemical version of a computer chip, say they`ve solved a long-standing mystery related to the mating habits of yeast cells.
The Johns Hopkins University researchers say their findings shed new light on the way cells send and receive signals in a process called signal transduction that, when impaired, can lead to cancer or other illnesses.
'Yeast is a very simple single-celled organism, but in many respects it operates much like a human cell,' said assistant professor of biomedical engineering Andre Levchenko, who led the research team. 'That`s why it`s been studied for many years -- because what we find out in yeast often holds true for humans as well.
The scientists discovered yeast cells mate by emitting pheromones designed to attract nearby cells of the opposite mating type. When a prospective partner picks up the 'scent,' it sends a projection toward the source of the pheromone, leading to a cellular merger.
The researchers determined the process is regulated by proteins inside the cell called mitogen-activated protein kinases through a chain of chemical reactions.
The study`s findings are detailed in the advance online issue of the journal Nature.
Copyright 2007 by United Press International
All you could do was "divide" by yourself. Kinda like being the only straight person in a gay bar. 
- or if you mix two strains (of different mating types)
