We have analyzed changes in intracellular pH and phosphate metabolism during the cell cycle of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (NCYC 239) by using high-resolution 31P NMR spectroscopy. High-density yeast cultures (2 x 108 cells per ml) were arrested prior to "start" by sequential glucose deprivation, after which they synchronously replicated DNA and divided after a final glucose feeding. Oxygenation of arrested cultures in the absence ofglucose led to increased levels ofsugar phosphates and ATP and an increase in intracellular pH. However, these conditions did not initiate cell cycle progression, indicating that energization is not used as an intracellular signal for initiation ofthe cell division cycle and that the cells need exogenous carbon sources for growth. Glucose refeeding initiated an alkaline intracellular pH transient only in the synchronous cultures, showing that increased intracellular pH accompanies the traversal of start. Changes in phosphate flow and utilization also were observed in the synchronous cultures. In particular, there was increased consumption of external phosphate during DNA synthesis. When external phosphate levels were low, the cells consumed their internal polyphosphate stores. This shows that, under these conditions, polyphosphate acts as a phosphate supply. 31P NMR spectroscopy is rapidly gaining in importance as a technique for the noninvasive analysis ofphosphorus-containing metabolites and intracellular pH in vivo. Since the first 31p NMR spectra ofyeast were published in 1975 (1), sensitivity and resolution have been improved to allow for the investigation of glycolytic mutants (2), the control of glycolysis (3), and compartmentation of pH in ascospores (4). In this communication, we present the results of a 31P NMR analysis of synchronous suspensions of yeast cells in which we have investigated intracellular pH and phosphorus metabolism during the cell division cycle.Yeast are an ideal system for investigating the cell division cycle. We have found that they can be maintained for long periods at the high densities (2 x 108 cells per ml) necessary to obtain good signal-to-noise in the NMR experiments. In addition, many temperature-sensitive cell division cycle mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae are available, allowing for more detailed analyses in the future.Concepts of the cell division cycle in yeast have changed in recent years. Using the cell division cycle mutant system, Hartwell and his colleagues (5-10) have identified the presence of two loosely coupled subcycles, each comprising a series of discrete, interdependent steps. One subcycle involves the nuclear events of DNA replication and nuclear division; the other consists of the cytoplasmic events governing bud emergence and growth. The subcycles converge prior to mitosis and diverge again after a point called "start"; this point bears some similarity to the R point ofmammalian cells (11). Although much is known with regard to the morphologic and genetic aspects of "start," its biochemistry is relatively unknown. ...