Induction of meiosis in yeast : II. Metabolic factors leading to meiosis.

Meiosis is induced in yeast by a sequence of events starting with the disappearance of glucose from the growth medium. Preparation for meiosis during the period of the premeiotic mitoses involves: (1) Development of the ability to metabolize acetate; and (2) establishment and maintenance of sufficiently high concentrations of RNA and protein in the cell to support an extensive biosynthetic activity. A new regulation model is proposed on the basis of the results obtained.