Abstract
When cell cycle progression in fission yeast is disrupted, checkpoint controls ensure that the normal sequence of cell cycle events is maintained. Activation of a checkpoint relies on monitoring signals that might involve assembly of macromolecular structures essential for specific cell cycle processes. The past year has seen further elucidation of two new checkpoints operating during the cell cycle of
Schizosaccharomyces pombe. One involves the product of the
ruml gene and prevents cells from entering mitosis from the pre-Start G
1 interval. The second checkpoint operates during the later stages of the cell cycle and is essential for coupling the events of mitosis and cell division.
