The restriction point (R) is defined as the point in G(1) after which cells
can complete a division cycle without growth factors and divides G(1) into
two physiologically different intervals in cycling tells, G(1)-pm (a postm
itotic interval with a constant length of 3 to 4 h) and G(1)-ps (a pre-DNA-
synthetic interval with a variable length of 1 to 10 h). Cyclin E is a G(1)
regulatory protein whose accumulation has been suggested to be critical fo
r passage through R. We have studied cyclin E protein levels in individual
cells of asynchronously growing cell populations, with respect to both pass
age through R and entry into S phase. We found that the postmitotic G(1) ce
lls that had not yet reached R were negative for cyclin E accumulation, On
the other hand, cells that had passed R were found to accumulate cyclin E a
t variable times (1 to 8 h) after passage through R and 2 to 5 h before ent
ry into S. These kinetic data rule out the hypothesis that passage through
R is dependent on the accumulation of cyclin E but suggest, instead, the co
nverse, that passage through R is a prerequisite for cyclin E accumulation.
Furthermore, we found that most of the cyclin E protein is downregulated w
ithin 1 to 2 h after entry into S.