A ‘Dynamic Adder Model’ For Cell Size Homeostasis in Dictyostelium Cells
Abstract After a cell divides into two daughter cells, the total cell surface area of the daughtercells should increase to the original size to maintain cell size homeostasis in a single cellcycle. Previously, three models have been proposed to explain the regulation of cell sizehomeostasis: sizer, timer, and adder models. Here, we precisely measured the total cellsurface area of Dictyostelium cells in a whole cell cycle by using the agar-overlaymethod, which eliminated the influence of surface membrane reservoirs, such asmicrovilli and membrane winkles. The total cell surface area linearly increased duringinterphase, slightly decreased at the metaphase, and then increased by approximately20% during cytokinesis. From the analysis of the added surface area, we concluded thatthe cell size was regulated by the near-adder model in interphase and by the timer modelin the mitotic phase. The adder model in the interphase is not caused by a simple cellmembrane addition, but is more dynamic due to the rapid cell membrane turnover. Wepropose a ‘dynamic adder model’ to explain cell size homeostasis in the interphase.