Temporal oscillation of phospholipids promotes metabolic efficiency

Abstract

Biological timing is a fundamental aspect of life, facilitating efficient resource use and adaptation to environmental changes. In this study, we unveil robust temporal oscillations in phospholipid abundance as a function of the yeast metabolic cycle (YMC). These fluctuations, occurring throughout the cell division cycle, demonstrate a systematic segregation of various phospholipid species over time. Such segregation corresponds logically with their physical properties, generating entropic forces for membrane dynamics and biogenesis. Within the YMC, the temporal oscillations in phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine levels require biosynthesis from triacylglycerol as a crucial lipid reservoir, with phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylserine synthesized primarily de novo. The orchestrated regulation of gene expression in biosynthesis pathways ensures precise temporal control of phospholipid dynamics, ultimately promoting metabolic efficiency. Temporal oscillations in the abundance of different phospholipid species during the yeast cell cycle are reported, suggesting regulation and interplay of phospholipid synthesis, membrane fluidity and metabolic efficiency during cell division.