Organization and Cell-Cell Interaction in Starved Saccharomyces cerevisiae Colonies

Cell growth in yeast colonies is a complex process, the control of which is largely unknown. Here we present scanning electron micrographs of Saccharomyces cerevisiae colonies, showing changes in the pattern of cell organization and cell-cell interactions during colony development. In young colonies (≤36 h), cell density is relatively low, and the cells seem to divide in a random orientation. However, as the colonies age, cell density increases and the cells seem to be oriented in a more orderly fashion. Unexpectedly, cells in starved colonies form connecting fibrils. A single connecting fibril 180 ± 50 nm wide is observed between any two neighboring cells, and the fibrils appear to form a global network. The results suggest a novel type of communication between cells within a colony that may contribute to the ability of the community to cope with starvation.