Quasi‐Exponential Generation Time Distributions From A Limit Cycle Oscillator

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Abstract
In spite of the apparently random behaivor and the often exponential distribution of generation times expressed in cell populations, there is evidence for rather precise timekeeping in the cell cycle. In experiments using time-lapse videotape microscoy, it was noted that cell generation times are often not distributed smoothly but in many cases seem to cluster at roughly 4 h intervals. Phase shift responses following application of heat shock, ionizing radiation or serum pulses in each case show a pattern which is repeated twice in cells with an 8-9 h modal generation time. A cell cycle model with an independent cellular clock controlling cell cycle events which accounts for the phase respnose data is studied, while also reconciling the stochastic and periodic behavior characteristic of animal cells.

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