The molecular requirements for cytokinesis

ALKBH4 depletion in mice leads to spermatogenic defects

ALKBH4, an AlkB homologue in the 2-oxoglutarate and Fe²⁺ dependent hydroxylase family, has previously been shown to regulate the level of monomethylated lysine-84 in actin and thereby indirectly influences the ability of non-muscular myosin II to bind actin filaments. ALKBH4 modulates fundamental processes including cytokinesis and cell motility, and its depletion is lethal during early preimplantation embryo stage. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ALKBH4 deficiency in a physiological context, using inducible Alkbh4 knockout mice. Here, we report that ALKBH4 is essential for the development of spermatocytes during the prophase of meiosis, and that ALKBH4 depletion leads to insufficient establishment of the synaptonemal complex. We also show that ALKBH4 is localized in nucleolar structures of Sertoli cells, spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes.

c-Abl tyrosine kinase regulates cytokinesis of human airway smooth muscle cells

Cytokinesis is a critical step of airway smooth muscle cell division that plays an essential role in the development and homeostasis of the respiratory system, as well as the progression of airway remodeling. The mechanisms that regulate smooth muscle cytokinesis are not fully understood. c-Abl (c-Abelson tyrosine kinase) is a nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinase that has a role in regulating actin dynamics and smooth muscle contraction. The role of c-Abl in cytokinesis has not been investigated. Here, c-Abl was found in the contractile ring, as evidenced by immunofluorescent microscopy. In addition, cortactin is a phosphorylatable protein that has been implicated in actin filament assembly. In this report, phosphorylated cortactin was also found in the contractile ring. Knockdown of c-Abl by RNA interference attenuated cortactin phosphorylation in the midzone and contractile ring formation. c-Abl knockdown decreased the number of cells undergoing cytokinesis, but increased the quantity of cells in metaphase/anaphase and the number of multinucleate cells. Treatment with the c-Abl pharmacological inhibitors, imatinib and GNF-5, had similar effects. Furthermore, the expression of a nonphosphorylatable cortactin mutant diminished cytokinesis. Finally, inhibition of actin filament assembly by latrunculin A attenuated c-Abl recruitment to the midzone. Thus, we propose a novel mechanism that regulates smooth muscle cell cytokinesis. c-Abl is recruited to the equator during cytokinesis, which may mediate cortactin phosphorylation. Phosphorylated cortactin may promote actin filament assembly, which facilitates contractile ring formation and cytokinesis. In addition, actin filament polymerization may facilitate the positioning of c-Abl to the contractile ring.

KIF20A regulates porcine oocyte maturation and early embryo development

KIF20A (Kinesin-like family member 20A), also called mitotic kinesin-like proteins 2 (MKLP2), is a mammalian mitotic kinesin-like motor protein of the Kinesin superfamily proteins (KIFs), which was originally involved in Golgi apparatus dynamics and thought to essential for cell cycle regulation during successful cytokinesis. In the present study, we investigated whether KIF20A has roles on porcine oocyte meiotic maturation and subsequent early embryo development. By immunofluorescence staining, KIF20A was found to exhibit a dynamic localization pattern during meiosis. KIF20A was restricted to centromeres after germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD), transferred to the midbody at telophase I (TI), and again associated with centromeres at metaphase II (MII). Inhibition of endogenous KIF20A via a specific inhibitor, Paprotrain, resulted in failure of polar body extrusion. Further cell cycle analysis showed that the percentage of oocytes that arrested at early metaphase I (MI) stage increased after KIF20A activity inhibition; however, the proportion of oocytes at anaphase/telophase I (ATI) and MII stages decreased significantly. Our results also showed that KIF20A inhibition did not affect spindle morphology. In addition, KIF20A was localized at the nucleus of early embryos, and KIF20A inhibition resulted in failure of early parthenogenetic embryo development. These results demonstrated that KIF20A is critical for porcine oocyte meiotic maturation and subsequent early embryo development.

Rho GTPases as regulators of mitosis and cytokinesis in mammalian cells

Rho GTPases regulate a diverse range of cellular functions primarily through their ability to modulate microtubule dynamics and the actin-myosin cytoskeleton. Both of these cytoskeletal structures are crucial for a mitotic cell division. Specifically, their assembly and disassembly is tightly regulated in a temporal manner to ensure that each mitotic stage occurs in the correct sequential order and not prematurely until the previous stage is completed. Thus, it is not surprising that the Rho GTPases, RhoA, and Cdc42, have reported roles in several stages of mitosis: cell cortex stiffening during cell rounding, mitotic spindle formation, and bi-orient attachment of the spindle microtubules to the kinetochore and during cytokinesis play multiple roles in establishing the division plane, assembly, and activation of the contractile ring, membrane ingression, and abscission. Here, I review the molecular mechanisms regulating the spatial and temporal activation of RhoA and Cdc42 during mitosis, and how this is critical for mitotic progression and completion.

Cardiomyocyte cytokinesis score: a potential method for cardiomyocyte proliferation

One of the most important indicators of myocardial regeneration is cardiomyocyte proliferation. However, it is difficult to distinguish cardiomyocytes in the regenerating stage from binucleated or multinucleated myocytes by conventional morphometric techniques. As cell cycle progression (CCP) scores have been successfully applied to the evaluation of the proliferation of cancer cells, we sought to establish a multi-gene score to evaluate cardiomyocyte proliferation in this study. Given the disturbances of nuclear division without cell division that occurs in cardiomyocytes, ten cytokinesis-correlated genes (Anln, Aurkb, Cenpa, Kif4, Kif23, Prc1, RhoA, Spin1, TACC2, and CDC42) were chosen to establish the cardiomyocyte cytokinesis score (CC-Score). The expression levels of these genes in H9C2 rat cardiomyoblast cells, the proliferation of which were stimulated or inhibited, were detected using qRT-PCR. To confirm the feasibility of the CC-Score system, four conventional methods for evaluating cardiomyocyte proliferation, including the MTT assay, BrdU assay, immunofluorescence, and flow cytometry analysis, were used in each group. The results of the CC-Score in the assessment of the proliferation of H9C2 cells were consistent with those of four commonly used proliferative assay methods. We conclude that the CC-Score can be used to assess the proliferation status of H9C2 cells, and suggest that the CC-Score may be a potential method for the assessment of cardiomyocyte proliferation in myocardial regeneration. However, validation studies utilizing primary cultured rat cardiomyocytes and heart tissue are warranted.

DNA-PKcs associates with PLK1 and is involved in proper chromosome segregation and cytokinesis

Accurate mitotic regulation is as important as intrinsic DNA repair for maintaining genomic stability. It is believed that these two cellular mechanisms are interconnected with DNA damage. DNA-PKcs is a critical component of the non-homologous end-joining pathway of DNA double-stranded break repair, and it was recently discovered to be involved in mitotic processing. However, the underlying mechanism of DNA-PKcs action in mitotic control is unknown. Here, we demonstrated that depletion of DNA-PKcs led to the dysregulation of mitotic progression in response to DNA damage, which eventually resulted in multiple failures, including failure to segregate sister chromatids and failure to complete cytokinesis, with daughter cells becoming fused again. The depletion of DNA-PKcs resulted in a notable failure of cytokinesis, with a high incidence of multinucleated cells. There were also cytoplasmic bridges containing DNA that continuously connected the daughter cells after DNA damage was induced. Phosphorylated DNA-PKcs (T2609) colocalizes with PLK1 throughout mitosis, including at the centrosomes from prophase to anaphase and at the kinetochores from prometaphase to metaphase, with accumulation at the midbody during cytokinesis. Importantly, DNA-PKcs was found to associate with PLK1 in the mitotic phase, and the depletion of DNA-PKcs resulted in the overexpression of PLK1 due to increased protein stability. However, deficiency in DNA-PKcs attenuated the recruitment of phosphorylated PLK1 to the midbody but not to the kinetochores and centrosomes. Our results demonstrate the functional association of DNA-PKcs with PLK1, especially in chromosomal segregation and cytokinesis control.

[Proliferation of adult mammalian ventricular cardiomyocytes: a sporadic but feasible phenomenon]

Proliferation of adult mammalian ventricular cardiomyocytes has been ruled out by some researchers, who have argued that these cells are terminally differentiated; however, this dogma has been rejected because other researchers have reported that these cells can present the processes necessary to proliferate, that is, DNA synthesis, mitosis and cytokinesis when the heart is damaged experimentally through pharmacological and surgical strategies or due to pathological conditions concerning the cardiovascular system. This review integrates some of the available works in the literature evaluating the DNA synthesis, mitosis and cytokinesis in these myocytes, when the myocardium is damaged, with the purpose of knowing if their proliferation can be considered as a feasible phenomenon. The review is concluded with a reflection about the perspectives of the knowledge generated in this area.

The novel proteins Rng8 and Rng9 regulate the myosin-V Myo51 during fission yeast cytokinesis

The myosin-V family of molecular motors is known to be under sophisticated regulation, but our knowledge of the roles and regulation of myosin-Vs in cytokinesis is limited. Here, we report that the myosin-V Myo51 affects contractile ring assembly and stability during fission yeast cytokinesis, and is regulated by two novel coiled-coil proteins, Rng8 and Rng9. Both rng8Δ and rng9Δ cells display similar defects as myo51Δ in cytokinesis. Rng8 and Rng9 are required for Myo51's localizations to cytoplasmic puncta, actin cables, and the contractile ring. Myo51 puncta contain multiple Myo51 molecules and walk continuously on actin filaments in rng8(+) cells, whereas Myo51 forms speckles containing only one dimer and does not move efficiently on actin tracks in rng8Δ. Consistently, Myo51 transports artificial cargos efficiently in vivo, and this activity is regulated by Rng8. Purified Rng8 and Rng9 form stable higher-order complexes. Collectively, we propose that Rng8 and Rng9 form oligomers and cluster multiple Myo51 dimers to regulate Myo51 localization and functions.

Plasma membrane phosphoinositide balance regulates cell shape during Drosophila embryo morphogenesis

The ratio of different phosphoinositide species coordinates actomyosin contractility and plasma membrane expansion during tissue morphogenesis, thus ensuring proper cell shape.

Remodeling of cell shape during morphogenesis is driven by the coordinated expansion and contraction of specific plasma membrane domains. Loss of this coordination results in abnormal cell shape and embryonic lethality. Here, we show that plasma membrane lipid composition plays a key role in coordinating plasma membrane contraction during expansion. We found that an increase in PI(4,5)P₂ levels caused premature actomyosin contraction, resulting in the formation of shortened cells. Conversely, acute depletion of PI(4,5)P₂ blocked plasma membrane expansion and led to premature actomyosin disassembly. PI(4,5)P₂-mediated contractility is counteracted by PI(3,4,5)P₃ and the zygotic gene bottleneck, which acts by limiting myosin recruitment during plasma membrane expansion. Collectively, these data support a model in which the ratio of PI(4,5)P₂/PI(3,4,5)P₃ coordinates actomyosin contractility and plasma membrane expansion during tissue morphogenesis, thus ensuring proper cell shape.

Fine-mapping quantitative trait loci affecting murine external ear tissue regeneration in the LG/J by SM/J advanced intercross line

External ear hole closure in LG/J mice represents a model of regenerative response. It is accompanied by the formation of a blastema-like structure and the re-growth of multiple tissues, including cartilage. The ability to regenerate tissue is heritable. An F34 advanced intercross line of mice (Wustl:LG,SM-G34) was generated to identify genomic loci involved in ear hole closure over a 30-day healing period. We mapped 19 quantitative trait loci (QTL) for ear hole closure. Individual gene effects are relatively small (0.08 mm), and most loci have co-dominant effects with phenotypically intermediate heterozygotes. QTL support regions were limited to a median size of 2 Mb containing a median of 19 genes. Positional candidate genes were evaluated using differential transcript expression between LG/J and SM/J healing tissue, function analysis and bioinformatic analysis of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in and around positional candidate genes of interest. Analysis of the set of 34 positional candidate genes and those displaying expression differences revealed over-representation of genes involved in cell cycle regulation/DNA damage, cell migration and adhesion, developmentally related genes and metabolism. This indicates that the healing phenotype in LG/J mice involves multiple physiological mechanisms.

Septins promote F-actin ring formation by crosslinking actin filaments into curved bundles

Animal cell cytokinesis requires a contractile ring of crosslinked actin filaments and myosin motors. How contractile rings form and are stabilized in dividing cells remains unclear. We address this problem by focusing on septins, highly conserved proteins in eukaryotes whose precise contribution to cytokinesis remains elusive. We use the cleavage of the Drosophila melanogaster embryo as a model system, where contractile actin rings drive constriction of invaginating membranes to produce an epithelium in a manner akin to cell division. In vivo functional studies show that septins are required for generating curved and tightly packed actin filament networks. In vitro reconstitution assays show that septins alone bundle actin filaments into rings, accounting for the defects in actin ring formation in septin mutants. The bundling and bending activities are conserved for human septins, and highlight unique functions of septins in the organization of contractile actomyosin rings.

Opposing actions of septins and Sticky on Anillin promote the transition from contractile to midbody ring

During cytokinesis, closure of the actomyosin contractile ring (CR) is coupled to the formation of a midbody ring (MR), through poorly understood mechanisms. Using time-lapse microscopy of Drosophila melanogaster S2 cells, we show that the transition from the CR to the MR proceeds via a previously uncharacterized maturation process that requires opposing mechanisms of removal and retention of the scaffold protein Anillin. The septin cytoskeleton acts on the C terminus of Anillin to locally trim away excess membrane from the late CR/nascent MR via internalization, extrusion, and shedding, whereas the citron kinase Sticky acts on the N terminus of Anillin to retain it at the mature MR. Simultaneous depletion of septins and Sticky not only disrupted MR formation but also caused earlier CR oscillations, uncovering redundant mechanisms of CR stability that can partly explain the essential role of Anillin in this process. Our findings highlight the relatedness of the CR and MR and suggest that membrane removal is coordinated with CR disassembly.

New insights into the molecular mechanisms of mitosis and cytokinesis in trypanosomes

Trypanosoma brucei, a unicellular eukaryote and the causative agent of human sleeping sickness, possesses multiple single-copy organelles that all need to be duplicated and segregated during cell division. Trypanosomes undergo a closed mitosis in which the mitotic spindle is anchored on the nuclear envelope and connects the kinetochores made of novel protein components. Cytokinesis in trypanosomes is initiated from the anterior tip of the new flagellum attachment zone, and proceeds along the longitudinal axis without the involvement of the actomyosin contractile ring, the well-recognized cytokinesis machinery conserved from yeast to humans. Trypanosome appears to employ both evolutionarily conserved and trypanosome-specific proteins to regulate its cell cycle, and has evolved certain cell cycle regulatory pathways that are either distinct between its life cycle stages or different from its human host. Understanding the mechanisms of mitosis and cytokinesis in trypanosomes not only would shed novel light on the evolution of cell cycle control, but also could provide new drug targets for chemotherapy.

Epithelial cell division – multiplying without losing touch

Epithelia are compact tissues comprising juxtaposed cells that function as mechanical and chemical barriers between the body and the environment. This barrier relies, in part, on adhesive contacts within adherens junctions, which are formed and stabilized by E-cadherin and catenin proteins linked to the actomyosin cytoskeleton. During development and throughout adult life, epithelia are continuously growing or regenerating, largely as a result of cell division. Although persistence of adherens junctions is needed for epithelial integrity, these junctions are continually remodelled during cell division. In this Commentary, we will focus on cytokinesis, the final step of mitosis, a multiparty phenomenon in which the adherens junction belt plays an essential role and during which a new cell–cell interface is generated between daughter cells. This new interface is the site of intense remodelling, where new adhesive contacts are assembled and cell polarity is transmitted from mother to daughter cells, ultimately becoming the site of cell signalling.

Katanin p60 contributes to microtubule instability around the midbody and facilitates cytokinesis in rat cells

The completion of cytokinesis is crucial for mitotic cell division. Cleavage furrow ingression is followed by the breaking and resealing of the intercellular bridge, but the detailed mechanism underlying this phenomenon remains unknown. Katanin is a microtubule-severing protein comprised of an AAA ATPase subunit and an accessory subunit designated as p60 and p80, respectively. Localization of katanin p60 was observed at the midzone to midbody from anaphase to cytokinesis in rat cells, and showed a ring-shaped distribution in the gap between the inside of the contractile ring and the central spindle bundle in telophase. Katanin p60 did not bind with p80 at the midzone or midbody, and localization was shown to be dependent on microtubules. At the central spindle and the midbody, no microtubule growth plus termini were seen with katanin p60, and microtubule density was inversely correlated with katanin p60 density in the region of katanin p60 localization that seemed to lead to microtubule destabilization at the midbody. Inhibition of katanin p60 resulted in incomplete cytokinesis by regression and thus caused the appearance of binucleate cells. These results suggest that katanin p60 contributes to microtubule instability at the midzone and midbody and facilitates cytokinesis in rat cells.

Distinct roles of a mitogen-activated protein kinase in cytokinesis between different life cycle forms of Trypanosoma brucei

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) modules are evolutionarily conserved signaling cascades that function in response to the environment and play crucial roles in intracellular signal transduction in eukaryotes. The involvement of a MAP kinase in regulating cytokinesis in yeast, animals, and plants has been reported, but the requirement for a MAP kinase for cytokinesis in the early-branching protozoa is not documented. Here, we show that a MAP kinase homolog (TbMAPK6) from Trypanosoma brucei plays distinct roles in cytokinesis in two life cycle forms of T. brucei. TbMAPK6 is distributed throughout the cytosol in the procyclic form but is localized in both the cytosol and the nucleus in the bloodstream form. RNA interference (RNAi) of TbMAPK6 results in moderate growth inhibition in the procyclic form but severe growth defects and rapid cell death in the bloodstream form. Moreover, TbMAPK6 appears to be implicated in furrow ingression and cytokinesis completion in the procyclic form but is essential for cytokinesis initiation in the bloodstream form. Despite the distinct defects in cytokinesis in the two forms, RNAi of TbMAPK6 also caused defective basal body duplication/segregation in a small cell population in both life cycle forms. Altogether, our results demonstrate the involvement of the TbMAPK6-mediated pathway in regulating cytokinesis in trypanosomes and suggest distinct roles of TbMAPK6 in cytokinesis between different life cycle stages of T. brucei.

Syntaxin 16 is a master recruitment factor for cytokinesis

Syntaxin 16 is a key regulator of cytokinesis, as it is required for the recruitment of both recycling endosome–associated Exocyst and ESCRT machinery during late telophase. Therefore these two distinct facets of cytokinesis are inextricably linked.

Recently it was shown that both recycling endosome and endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) components are required for cytokinesis, in which they are believed to act in a sequential manner to bring about secondary ingression and abscission, respectively. However, it is not clear how either of these complexes is targeted to the midbody and whether their delivery is coordinated. The trafficking of membrane vesicles between different intracellular organelles involves the formation of soluble N-ethylmalei­mide–sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complexes. Although membrane traffic is known to play an important role in cytokinesis, the contribution and identity of intracellular SNAREs to cytokinesis remain unclear. Here we demonstrate that syntaxin 16 is a key regulator of cytokinesis, as it is required for recruitment of both recycling endosome–associated Exocyst and ESCRT machinery during late telophase, and therefore that these two distinct facets of cytokinesis are inextricably linked.

The design of MACs (minimal actin cortices)

The actin cell cortex in eukaryotic cells is a key player in controlling and maintaining the shape of cells, and in driving major shape changes such as in cytokinesis. It is thereby constantly being remodeled. Cell shape changes require forces acting on membranes that are generated by the interplay of membrane coupled actin filaments and assemblies of myosin motors. Little is known about how their interaction regulates actin cell cortex remodeling and cell shape changes. Because of the vital importance of actin, myosin motors and the cell membrane, selective in vivo experiments and manipulations are often difficult to perform or not feasible. Thus, the intelligent design of minimal in vitro systems for actin-myosin-membrane interactions could pave a way for investigating actin cell cortex mechanics in a detailed and quantitative manner. Here, we present and discuss the design of several bottom-up in vitro systems accomplishing the coupling of actin filaments to artificial membranes, where key parameters such as actin densities and membrane properties can be varied in a controlled manner. Insights gained from these in vitro systems may help to uncover fundamental principles of how exactly actin-myosin-membrane interactions govern actin cortex remodeling and membrane properties for cell shape changes. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

FilGAP and its close relatives: a mediator of Rho-Rac antagonism that regulates cell morphology and migration

Cell migration, phagocytosis and cytokinesis are mechanically intensive cellular processes that are mediated by the dynamic assembly and contractility of the actin cytoskeleton. GAPs (GTPase-activating proteins) control activities of the Rho family proteins including Cdc42, Rac1 and RhoA, which are prominent upstream regulators of the actin cytoskeleton. The present review concerns a class of Rho GAPs, FilGAP (ARHGAP24 gene product) and its close relatives (ARHGAP22 and AHRGAP25 gene products). FilGAP is a GAP for Rac1 and a binding partner of FLNa (filamin A), a widely expressed F-actin (filamentous actin)-cross-linking protein that binds many different proteins that are important in cell regulation. Phosphorylation of FilGAP serine/threonine residues and binding to FLNa modulate FilGAP's GAP activity and, as a result, its ability to regulate cell protrusion and spreading. FLNa binds to FilGAP at F-actin-enriched sites, such as at the leading edge of the cell where Rac1 activity is controlled to inhibit actin assembly. FilGAP then dissociates from FLNa in actin networks by myosin-dependent mechanical deformation of FLNa's FilGAP-binding site to relocate at the plasma membrane by binding to polyphosphoinositides. Since actomyosin contraction is activated downstream of RhoA-ROCK (Rho-kinase), RhoA activity regulates Rac1 through FilGAP by signalling to the force-generating system. FilGAP and the ARHGAP22 gene product also act as mediators between RhoA and Rac1 pathways, which lead to amoeboid and mesenchymal modes of cell movements respectively. Therefore FilGAP and its close relatives are key regulators that promote the reciprocal inhibitory relationship between RhoA and Rac1 in cell shape changes and the mesenchymal-amoeboid transition in tumour cells.

Interphase cytofission maintains genomic integrity of human cells after failed cytokinesis

In cell division, cytokinesis is tightly coupled with mitosis to maintain genomic integrity. Failed cytokinesis in humans can result in tetraploid cells that can become aneuploid and promote cancer. However, the likelihood of aneuploidy and cancer after a failed cytokinesis event is unknown. Here we evaluated cell fate after failed cytokinesis. We interrupted cytokinesis by brief chemical treatments in cell populations of human epithelial lines. Surprisingly, up to 50% of the resulting binucleate cells generated colonies. In RPE1 cells, 90% of colonies obtained from binucleate founders had a karyotype that matched the parental cell type. Time-lapse videomicroscopy demonstrated that binucleate cells are delayed in the first growth phase of the cell cycle (G1) and undergo interphase cellular fission (cytofission) that distributes nuclei into separate daughters. The fission is not compatible with delayed cytokinesis because events occur in the absence of polymerized microtubules and without canonical components of the cytokinetic machinery. However, the cytofission can be interrupted by inhibiting function of actin or myosin II. Fission events occur in both two- and three-dimensional culture. Our data demonstrate that cytofission can preserve genomic integrity after failed cytokinesis. Thus, traction-mediated cytofission, originally observed in Dictyostelium, is relevant to human biology--where it seems to be an evolutionarily conserved mechanism that can preserve genomic integrity.

Cell cycle regulation and regeneration

Regeneration of ear punch holes in the MRL mouse and amputated limbs of the axolotl show a number of similarities. A large proportion of the fibroblasts of the uninjured MRL mouse ear are arrested in G2 of the cell cycle, and enter nerve-dependent mitosis after injury to form a ring-shaped blastema that regenerates the ear tissue. Multiple cell types contribute to the establishment of the regeneration blastema of the urodele limb by dedifferentiation, and there is substantial reason to believe that the cells of this early blastema are also arrested in G2, and enter mitosis under the influence of nerve-dependent factors supplied by the apical epidermal cap. Molecular analysis reveals other parallels, such as; (1) the upregulation of Evi5, a centrosomal protein that prevents mitosis by stabilizing Emi1, a protein that inhibits the degradation of cyclins by the anaphase promoting complex and (2) the expression of sodium channels by the epidermis. A central feature in the entry into the cell cycle by MRL ear fibroblasts is a natural downregulation of p21, and knockout of p21 in wild-type mice confers regenerative capacity on non-regenerating ear tissue. Whether the same is true for entry into the cell cycle in regenerating urodele limbs is presently unknown.

In vitro contraction of cytokinetic ring depends on myosin II but not on actin dynamics

Cytokinesis in many eukaryotes involves the contraction of an actomyosin-based contractile ring. However, the detailed mechanism of contractile ring contraction is not fully understood. Here, we establish an experimental system to study contraction of the ring to completion in vitro. We show that the contractile ring of permeabilized fission yeast cells undergoes rapid contraction in an ATP- and myosin-II-dependent manner in the absence of other cytoplasmic constituents. Surprisingly, neither actin polymerization nor its disassembly is required for contraction of the contractile ring, although addition of exogenous actin-crosslinking proteins blocks ring contraction. Using contractile rings generated from fission yeast cytokinesis mutants, we show that not all proteins required for assembly of the ring are required for its contraction in vitro. Our work provides the beginnings of the definition of a minimal contraction-competent cytokinetic ring apparatus.

Mechanics of epithelial tissue homeostasis and morphogenesis

Epithelia are robust tissues that support the structure of embryos and organs and serve as effective barriers against pathogens. Epithelia also chemically separate different physiological environments. These vital functions require tight association between cells through the assembly of junctions that mechanically stabilize the tissue. Remarkably, epithelia are also dynamic and can display a fluid behavior. Cells continuously die or divide, thereby allowing functional tissue homeostasis. Epithelial cells can change shape or intercalate as tissues deform during morphogenesis. We review the mechanical basis of tissue robustness and fluidity, with an emphasis on the pivotal role of junction dynamics. Tissue fluidity emerges from local active stresses acting at cell interfaces and allows the maintenance of epithelial organization during morphogenesis and tissue renewal.

A spindle-independent cleavage pathway controls germ cell formation in Drosophila

The primordial germ cells (PGCs) are the first cells to form during Drosophila melanogaster embryogenesis. While the process of somatic cell formation has been studied in detail, the mechanics of PGC formation are poorly understood. Here, using 4D multi-photon imaging combined with genetic and pharmacological manipulations, we find that PGC formation requires an anaphase spindle-independent cleavage pathway. In addition to utilizing core regulators of cleavage, including the small GTPase RhoA (Drosophila Rho) and the Rho associated kinase, ROCK (Drosophila Rok), we show that this pathway requires Germ cell-less (Gcl), a conserved BTB-domain protein not previously implicated in cleavage mechanics. This alternate form of cell formation suggests that organisms have evolved multiple molecular strategies for regulating the cytoskeleton during cleavage.

ADF/cofilin is not essential but is critically important for actin activities during phagocytosis in Tetrahymena thermophila

ADF/cofilin is a highly conserved actin-modulating protein. Reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton in vivo through severing and depolymerizing of F-actin by this protein is essential for various cellular events, such as endocytosis, phagocytosis, cytokinesis, and cell migration. We show that in the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila, the ADF/cofilin homologue Adf73p associates with actin on nascent food vacuoles. Overexpression of Adf73p disrupted the proper localization of actin and inhibited the formation of food vacuoles. In vitro, recombinant Adf73p promoted the depolymerization of filaments made of T. thermophila actin (Act1p). Knockout cells lacking the ADF73 gene are viable but grow extremely slowly and have a severely decreased rate of food vacuole formation. Knockout cells have abnormal aggregates of actin in the cytoplasm. Surprisingly, unlike the case in animals and yeasts, in Tetrahymena, ADF/cofilin is not required for cytokinesis. Thus, the Tetrahymena model shows promise for future studies of the role of ADF/cofilin in vivo.

Septins regulate the contractility of the actomyosin ring to enable adherens junction remodeling during cytokinesis of epithelial cells

How adhesive contacts with neighbors may affect epithelial cell cytokinesis is unknown. We report that in Drosophila, septins are specifically required for planar (but not orthogonal) cytokinesis. During planar division, cytokinetic furrowing initiates basally, resulting in a contractile ring displaced toward the adherens junction (AJ). The formation of new AJ between daughter cells requires the disengagement of E-Cadherin complexes between mitotic and neighboring cells at the cleavage furrow, followed by the assembly of E-Cadherin complexes on the daughter-daughter interface. The strength of adhesion with neighbors directly impacts both the kinetics of AJ disengagement and the length of the new AJ. Loss of septins causes a reduction in the contractility of the actomyosin ring and prevents local disengagement of AJ in the cleavage furrow. By modulating the strength of tension induced by neighbors, we uncover a mechanical function for septins to overcome the extrinsic tension induced by neighboring interphasic cells.

Crystal structure of GTPase-activating domain from human MgcRacGAP

Cytokinesis in animal cells relies on a centralspindlin complex consisting of male germ cell RacGap (MgcRacGAP) and mitotic kinesin-like protein 1 (MKLP1). Rho GTPases act as molecular switches to regulate the actin cytoskeleton for cytokinesis, of which Rac1 is regulated by MgcRacGAP. In this study, we determined the crystal structure of the GTPase-activating protein (GAP) domain of MgcRacGAP at a resolution of 1.9Å. The conformation of Arg385, which is a key residue for GAP activity, was found to be different from that of previously reported GAP proteins, and MgcRacGAP (residues 348-546) was found to exist as a monomer in solution, according to Stokes radii. We also measured the GAP activity of MgcRacGAP mutants for Rac1.

Decoding ubiquitin for mitosis

Conjugation of ubiquitin (ubiquitination) to substrate proteins is a widespread modification that ensures fidelity of many cellular processes. During mitosis, different dynamic morphological transitions have to be coordinated in a temporal and spatial manner to allow for precise partitioning of the genetic material into two daughter cells, and ubiquitination of key mitotic factors is believed to provide both directionality and fidelity to this process. While directionality can be achieved by a proteolytic type of ubiquitination signal, the fidelity is often determined by various types of ubiquitin conjugation that does not target substrates for proteolysis by the proteasome. An additional level of complexity is provided by various ubiquitin-interacting proteins that act downstream of the ubiquitinated substrate and can serve as "decoders" for the ubiquitin signal. They may, specifically reverse ubiquitin attachment (deubiquitinating enzymes, DUBs) or, act as a receptor for transfer of the ubiquitinated substrate toward downstream signaling components and/or subcellular compartments (ubiquitin-binding proteins, UBPs). In this review, we aim at summarizing the knowledge and emerging concepts about the role of ubiquitin decoders, DUBs, and UBPs that contribute to faithful regulation of mitotic division.

Prevalence and clinical significance of rare antinuclear antibody patterns

While some of the more frequent antinuclear (auto)antibodies (ANA) patterns such as homogenous nuclear staining have been extensively studied, the prevalence and clinical significance of rare antinuclear antibody patterns are not well understood. For the purpose of this review, we defined rare patterns as patterns occurring in less than 1% of patients that test positive on indirect immunofluorescence. The prevalence of different ANA patterns was determined in 68,128 consecutive patients who attended the outpatient clinic or were hospitalized at the University Hospitals Leuven over a 14-year period (1998-2011). To avoid bias, we only included the first sample for each patient and patients who tested positive in the period 1980-1997 were excluded. There were 9268 patients who tested positive for ANA. With the exception of the clinical association of anti-multiple nuclear dots (at higher titers) and anti-nuclear envelope autoantibodies with autoimmune liver disease, there was no good clinical association of rare ANA patterns with the diagnosis of auto-immune disorders. The most important non-autoimmune cause of rare ANA patterns was carcinoma, particularly in patients with rare cell-cycle related ANAs.

Cep57 protein is required for cytokinesis by facilitating central spindle microtubule organization

Cytokinesis is the final stage of cell division in which the cytoplasm of a cell is divided into two daughter cells after the segregation of genetic material, and the central spindle and midbody are considered to be the essential structures required for the initiation and completion of cytokinesis. Here, we determined that the centrosome protein Cep57, which is localized to the central spindle and midbody, acts as a spindle organizer and is required for cytokinesis. Depletion of Cep57 disrupted microtubule assembly of the central spindle and further led to abnormal midbody localization of MKLP1, Plk1, and Aurora B, which resulted in cytokinesis failure and the formation of binuclear cells. Furthermore, we found that Cep57 directly recruited Tektin 1 to the midbody matrix to regulate microtubule organization. Thus, our data reveal that Cep57 is essential for cytokinesis via regulation of central spindle assembly and formation of the midbody.

The association of taxane resistance genes with the clinical course of ovarian carcinoma

Taxane and platinum-based chemotherapy regimens are standard treatment for advanced ovarian carcinoma. Expression levels of putative markers of taxane resistance in carcinoma tissues and paired peritoneal samples (n=55) and in 16 samples of ovaries without signs of carcinoma were compared with clinical data and the patients' time to progression. KIF14, PRC1, CIT and ABCC1 genes were significantly overexpressed in carcinomas when compared with normal ovarian tissues, while ABCB1 and CASP9 expression was decreased. Associations of protein expression of the proliferation marker Ki-67 with KIF14, PRC1, ABCB1 and CASP2 were found. Lastly, it was discovered that ABCB1 and CASP2 levels associated with FIGO stage and that the CIT level associated with the time to progression of ovarian carcinoma patients (P<0.0001). In conclusion, ABCB1, CASP2, KIF14, PRC1 and CIT genes seem to associate with surrogate markers of ovarian carcinoma progression and CIT gene associates with therapy outcome.

UNC119a bridges the transmission of Fyn signals to Rab11, leading to the completion of cytokinesis

Src family kinases (SFKs) regulate the completion of cytokinesis through signal transduction pathways that lead to the Rab11-dependent phosphorylation of ERK and its localization to the midbody of cytokinetic cells. We find that UNC119a, a known activator of SFKs, plays essential roles in this signaling pathway. UNC119a localizes to the centrosome in interphase cells and begins to translocate from the spindle pole to the spindle midzone after the onset of mitosis; it then localizes to the intercellular bridge in telophase cells and to the midbody in cytokinetic cells. We show that the midbody localization of UNC119a is dependent on Rab11, and that knocking down UNC119a inhibits the Rab11-dependent phosphorylation and midbody localization of ERK and cytokinesis. Moreover, we demonstrate that UNC119a interacts with a Src family kinase, Fyn and is required for the activation of this kinase. These results suggest that UNC119a plays a key role in the Fyn signal transduction pathway, which regulates the completion of cytokinesis via Rab11.

Generation of cancer stem-like cells through the formation of polyploid giant cancer cells

Polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs) have been observed by pathologists for over a century. PGCCs contribute to solid tumor heterogeneity, but their functions are largely undefined. Little attention has been given to these cells, largely because PGCCs have been generally thought to originate from repeated failure of mitosis/cytokinesis and have no capacity for long-term survival or proliferation. Here we report our successful purification and culture of PGCCs from human ovarian cancer cell lines and primary ovarian cancer. These cells are highly resistant to oxygen deprivation and could form through endoreduplication or cell fusion, generating regular-sized cancer cells quickly through budding or bursting similar to simple organisms like fungi. They express normal and cancer stem cell markers, they divide asymmetrically and they cycle slowly. They can differentiate into adipose, cartilage and bone. A single PGCC formed cancer spheroids in vitro and generated tumors in immunodeficient mice. These PGCC-derived tumors gained a mesenchymal phenotype with increased expression of cancer stem cell markers CD44 and CD133 and become more resistant to treatment with cisplatin. Taken together, our results reveal that PGCCs represent a resistant form of human cancer using an ancient, evolutionarily conserved mechanism in response to hypoxia stress; they can contribute to the generation of cancer stem-like cells, and also play a fundamental role in regulating tumor heterogeneity, tumor growth and chemoresistance in human cancer.

CYK4 inhibits Rac1-dependent PAK1 and ARHGEF7 effector pathways during cytokinesis

In mitosis, animal cells lose their adhesion to the surrounding surfaces and become rounded. During mitotic exit, they reestablish these adhesions and at the same time physically contract and divide. How these competing processes are spatially segregated at the cell cortex remains mysterious. To address this question, we define the specific effector pathways used by RhoA and Rac1 in mitotic cells. We demonstrate that the MKlp1-CYK4 centralspindlin complex is a guanosine triphosphatase-activating protein (GAP) for Rac1 and not RhoA and that CYK4 negatively regulated Rac1 activity at the cell equator in anaphase. Cells expressing a CYK4 GAP mutant had defects in cytokinesis and showed elevated staining for the cell adhesion marker vinculin. These defects could be rescued by depletion of ARHGEF7 and p21-activated kinase, Rac1-specific effector proteins required for cell adhesion. Based on these findings, we propose that CYK4 GAP activity is required during anaphase to inhibit Rac1-dependent effector pathways associated with control of cell spreading and adhesion.

Endoreplication and polyploidy: insights into development and disease

Polyploid cells have genomes that contain multiples of the typical diploid chromosome number and are found in many different organisms. Studies in a variety of animal and plant developmental systems have revealed evolutionarily conserved mechanisms that control the generation of polyploidy and have recently begun to provide clues to its physiological function. These studies demonstrate that cellular polyploidy plays important roles during normal development and also contributes to human disease, particularly cancer.

The effect of including the C2 insert of nonmuscle myosin II-C on neuritogenesis

The functional role of the C2 insert of nonmuscle myosin II-C (NM II-C) is poorly understood. Here, we report for the first time that the expression of the C2 insert-containing isoform, NM II-C1C2, is inducible in Neuro-2a cells during differentiation both at mRNA and protein levels. Immunoblot and RT-PCR analysis reveal that expression of NM II-C1C2 peaks between days 3 and 6 of differentiation. Localization of NM II-C1C2 in Neuro-2a cells suggests that the C2 insert-containing isoform is localized in the cytosol and along the neurites, specifically at the adherence point to substratum. Inhibition of endogenous NM II-C1C2 using siRNA decreases the neurite length by 43% compared with control cells treated with nonspecific siRNA. Time lapse image analysis reveals that neurites of C2-siRNA-treated cells have a net negative change in neurite length per minute, leading to a reduction of overall neurite length. During neuritogenesis, NM II-C1C2 can interact and colocalize with β1-integrin in neurites. Altogether, these studies indicate that NM II-C1C2 may be involved in stabilizing neurites by maintaining their structure at adhesion sites.

Roles for focal adhesion kinase (FAK) in blastomere abscission and vesicle trafficking during cleavage in the sea urchin embryo

Is focal adhesion kinase (FAK) needed for embryonic cleavage? We find that FAK is expressed during early cleavage divisions of sea urchin embryos as determined by polyclonal antibodies to the Lytechinus variegatus protein. FAK is absent in eggs and zygotes and then cycles in abundance during the first cleavages after fertilization. It is maximal at anaphase, similar to the destruction and synthesis of cyclin proteins. To investigate whether FAK is needed during early cleavage, we interfered with its function by microinjecting eggs with anti-FAK antibodies or with FAK antisense morpholino oligonucleotides. Both treatments led to regression of the cleavage furrow. FAK knockdown with antibodies or morpholino oligonucleotides also resulted in an over-accumulation of endocytic vesicles. Thus, FAK could be restricting endocytosis or increasing exocytosis in localized areas important for abscission. FAK appears to be necessary for successful cleavage. These results are the first to document a functional role for FAK during embryonic cleavage.

Assessing cell fusion and cytokinesis failure as mechanisms of clone 9 hepatocyte multinucleation in vitro

In this in vitro model of hepatocyte multinucleation, separate cultures of rat Clone 9 cells are labeled with either red or green cell tracker dyes (Red Cell Tracker CMPTX or Vybrant CFDA SE Cell Tracer), plated together in mixed-color colonies, and treated with positive or negative control agents for 4 days. The fluorescent dyes become cell-impermeant after entering cells and are not transferred to adjacent cells in a population, but are inherited by daughter cells after fusion. The mixed-color cultures are then evaluated microscopically for multinucleation and analysis of the underlying mechanism (cell fusion/cytokinesis). Multinucleated cells containing only one dye have undergone cytokinesis failure, whereas dual-labeled multinucleated cells have resulted from fusion.

4D imaging reveals a shift in chromosome segregation dynamics during mouse pre-implantation development

Cells of the early developing mammalian embryo frequently mis-segregate chromosomes during cell division, causing daughter cells to inherit an erroneous numbers of chromosomes. Why the embryo is so susceptible to errors is unknown, and the mechanisms that embryos employ to accomplish chromosome segregation are poorly understood. Chromosome segregation is performed by the spindle, a fusiform-shaped microtubule-based transient organelle. Here we present a detailed analysis of 4D fluorescence-confocal data sets of live embryos progressing from the one-cell embryo stage through to blastocyst in vitro, providing some of the first mechanistic insights into chromosome segregation in the mammalian embryo. We show that chromosome segregation occurs as a combined result of poleward chromosome motion (anaphase-A) and spindle elongation (anaphase-B), which occur simultaneously at the time of cell division. Unexpectedly, however, regulation of the two anaphase mechanisms changes significantly between the first and second embryonic mitoses. In one-cell embryos, the velocity of anaphase-A chromosome motion and the velocity and overall extent of anaphase-B spindle elongation are significantly constrained compared with later stages. As a result chromosomes are delivered close to the center of the forming two-cell stage blastomeres at the end of the first mitosis. In subsequent divisions, anaphase-B spindle elongation is faster and more extensive, resulting in the delivery of chromosomes to the distal plasma membrane of the newly forming blastomeres. Metaphase spindle length scales with cell size from the two-cell stage onwards, but is substantially shorter in the first mitosis than in the second mitosis, and the duration of mitosis-1 is substantially greater than subsequent divisions. Thus, there is a striking and unexpected shift in the approach to cell division between the first and second mitotic divisions, which likely reflects adaptations to the unique environment within the developing embryo.

Centrosomal localization of the psoriasis candidate gene product, CCHCR1, supports a role in cytoskeletal organization

CCHCR1 (Coiled-Coil α-Helical Rod protein 1), within the major psoriasis susceptibility locus PSORS1, is a plausible candidate gene with the psoriasis associated risk allele CCHCR1*WWCC. Although its expression pattern in psoriatic skin differs from healthy skin and its overexpression influences cell proliferation in transgenic mice, its role as a psoriasis effector gene has remained unsettled. The 5′-region of the gene contains a SNP (rs3130453) that controls a 5′-extended open reading frame and thus the translation of alternative isoforms. We have now compared the function of two CCHCR1 isoforms: the novel longer isoform 1 and the previously studied isoform 3. In samples of Finnish and Swedish families, the allele generating only isoform 3 shows association with psoriasis (P<10⁻⁷). Both isoforms localize at the centrosome, a cell organelle playing a role in cell division. In stably transfected cells the isoform 3 affects cell proliferation and with the CCHCR1*WWCC allele, also apoptosis. Furthermore, cells overexpressing CCHCR1 show isoform- and haplotype-specific influences in the cell size and shape and alterations in the organization and expression of the cytoskeletal proteins actin, vimentin, and cytokeratins. The isoform 1 with the non-risk allele induces the expression of keratin 17, a hallmark for psoriasis; the silencing of CCHCR1 reduces its expression in HEK293 cells. CCHCR1 also regulates EGF-induced STAT3 activation in an isoform-specific manner: the tyrosine phosphorylation of STAT3 is disturbed in isoform 3-transfected cells. The centrosomal localization of CCHCR1 provides a connection to the abnormal cell proliferation and offers a link to possible cellular pathways altered in psoriasis.

Membrane dynamics during cytokinesis

Endocytic membrane transport has recently emerged as a key process required for the successful completion of cytokinesis. Specific endocytic membranes act in concert with the cytoskeleton and ESCRT proteins to regulate the various stages of cytokinesis. In this review, we focus on the different endocytic Arf and Rab GTPases and their interaction proteins that regulate organelle transport to the intracellular bridge during cytokinesis. The identity and function of these endocytic organelles during the late stages of cell division will also be discussed.

Ethyl acetate extraction from a Chinese herbal formula, Jiedu Xiaozheng Yin, inhibits the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via induction of G0/G1 phase arrest in vivo and in vitro

Jiedu Xiaozheng Yin (JXY), a polyherbal formula of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has been used to treat various kinds of cancer in China. However, the mechanism of its anticancer activity has yet to be elucidated. Air-dried herbs were extracted with reagents of different polarity. HepG2 cells were treated with different doses of ethyl acetate extract (EE-JXY) and chloroform extract (CE-JXY) for 24 h. Cell viability was detected by MTT assay. Colony formation ability was also evaluated. Cell cycle was evaluated by FACS. Tumor bearing BALB/c nude mice was treated with EE-JXY (0.06 g/kg) for 20 days. Tumor volume and weight were monitored. The percentage of PCNA-positive cells and the level of G1 phase proteins [cyclin-dependent kinase2 (CDK2), cyclin‑dependent kinase4 (CDK4), cyclin D and cyclin E and G2 phase proteins [cyclin-dependent kinase1 (CDK1), cyclin A and cyclin B] were detected by immunohistochemistry and western blotting. EE-JXY and CE-JXY dose-dependently inhibited the growth of HepG2 cells (P<0.01 for both). Furthermore, EE-JXY inhibited the formation of cell colonies and blocked the cell cycle to G1 phase in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01 for all). EE-JXY showed an obviously antitumor effect in vivo (P<0.05). Further investigation showed that EE-JXY decreased the proliferation index of tumors (P<0.01) through increasing the expression of G1-related proteins (cyclin D and cyclin E, P<0.05 and P<0.01). These results suggested that JXY inhibits the growth of HepG2 cells at least via arresting the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase.

Blt1 and Mid1 provide overlapping membrane anchors to position the division plane in fission yeast

Spatial control of cytokinesis is essential for proper cell division. The molecular mechanisms that anchor the dynamic assembly and constriction of the cytokinetic ring at the plasma membrane remain unclear. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the cytokinetic ring is assembled in the cell middle from cortical node precursors that are positioned by the anillin-like protein Mid1. During mitotic entry, cortical nodes mature and then compact into a contractile ring positioned in the cell middle. The molecular link between Mid1 and medial cortical nodes remains poorly defined. Here we show that Blt1, a previously enigmatic cortical node protein, promotes the robust association of Mid1 with cortical nodes. Blt1 interacts with Mid1 through the RhoGEF Gef2 to stabilize nodes at the cell cortex during the early stages of contractile ring assembly. The Blt1 N terminus is required for localization and function, while the Blt1 C terminus promotes cortical localization by interacting with phospholipids. In cells lacking membrane binding by both Mid1 and Blt1, nodes detach from the cell cortex and generate aberrant cytokinetic rings. We conclude that Blt1 acts as a scaffolding protein for precursors of the cytokinetic ring and that Blt1 and Mid1 provide overlapping membrane anchors for proper division plane positioning.

Phosphorylated tubulin adaptor protein CRMP-2 as prognostic marker and candidate therapeutic target for NSCLC

Collapsin response mediator protein-2 (CRMP-2) is the first described and most studied member of a family of proteins that mediate the addition of tubulin dimers to the growing microtubule. CRMPs have mainly been studied in the nervous system, but recently, they have been described in other tissues where they participate in vesicle transport, migration and mitosis. In this work, we aimed at studying the role of CRMP-2 in lung cancer cell division. We first explored the expression of CRMP-2 and phosphorylated (Thr 514) CRMP-2 in 91 samples obtained from patients with localized nonsmall cell lung cancer. We observed a significant correlation between high levels of nuclear phosphorylated CRMP-2 and poor prognosis in those patients. Interestingly, this association was only positive for untreated patients. To provide a mechanistic explanation to these findings, we used in vitro models to analyze the role of CRMP-2 and its phosphorylated forms in cell division. Thus, we observed by confocal microscopy and immunoprecipitation assays that CRMP-2 differentially colocalizes with the mitotic spindle during cell division. The use of phosphodefective or phosphomimetic mutants of CRMP-2 allowed us to prove that anomalies in the phosphorylation status of CRMP-2 result in changes in the mitotic tempo, and increments in the number of multinucleated cells. Finally, here we demonstrate that CRMP-2 phosphorylation impairment, or silencing induces p53 expression and promotes apoptosis through caspase 3 activation. These results pointed to CRMP-2 phosphorylation as a prognostic marker and potential new target to be explored in cancer therapy.

Comparing contractile apparatus-driven cytokinesis mechanisms across kingdoms

Cytokinesis is the final stage of the cell cycle during which a cell physically divides into two daughters through the assembly of new membranes (and cell wall in some cases) between the forming daughters. New membrane assembly can either proceed centripetally behind a contractile apparatus, as in the case of prokaryotes, archaea, fungi, and animals or expand centrifugally, as in the case of higher plants. In this article, we compare the mechanisms of cytokinesis in diverse organisms dividing through the use of a contractile apparatus. While an actomyosin ring participates in cytokinesis in almost all centripetally dividing eukaryotes, the majority of bacteria and archaea (except Crenarchaea) divide using a ring composed of the tubulin-related protein FtsZ. Curiously, despite molecular conservation of the division machinery components, division site placement and its cell cycle regulation occur by a variety of unrelated mechanisms even among organisms from the same kingdom. While molecular motors and cytoskeletal polymer dynamics contribute to force generation during eukaryotic cytokinesis, cytoskeletal polymer dynamics alone appears to be sufficient for force generation during prokaryotic cytokinesis. Intriguingly, there are life forms on this planet that appear to lack molecules currently known to participate in cytokinesis and how these cells perform cytokinesis remains a mystery waiting to be unravelled.

A novel big protein TPRBK possessing 25 units of TPR motif is essential for the progress of mitosis and cytokinesis

Through the comprehensive analysis of the genomic DNA sequence of human chromosome 22, we identified a novel gene of 702 kb encoding a big protein of 2481 amino acid residues, and named it as TPRBK (TPR containing big gene cloned at Keio). A novel protein TPRBK possesses 25 units of the TPR motif, which has been known to associate with a diverse range of biological functions. Orthologous genes of human TPRBK were found widely in animal species, from insecta to mammal, but not found in plants, fungi and nematoda. Northern blotting and RT-PCR analyses revealed that TPRBK gene is expressed ubiquitously in the human and mouse fetal tissues and various cell lines of human, monkey and mouse. Immunofluorescent staining of the synchronized monkey COS-7 cells with several relevant antibodies indicated that TPRBK changes its subcellular localization during the cell cycle: at interphase TPRBK locates on the centrosomes, during mitosis it translocates from spindle poles to mitotic spindles then to spindle midzone, and through a period of cytokinesis it stays on the midbody. Co-immunoprecipitation assay and immunofluorescent staining with adequate antibodies revealed that TPRBK binds to Aurora B, and those proteins together translocate throughout mitosis and cytokinesis. Treatments of cells with two drugs (Blebbistatin and Y-27632), that are known to inhibit the contractility of actin-myosin, disturbed the proper intracellular localization of TPRBK. Moreover, the knockdown of TPRBK expression by small interfering RNA (siRNA) suppressed the bundling of spindle midzone microtubules and disrupted the midbody formation, arresting the cells at G(2)+M phase. These observations indicated that a novel big protein TPRBK is essential for the formation and integrity of the midbody, hence we postulated that TPRBK plays a critical role in the progress of mitosis and cytokinesis during mammalian cell cycle.

Specific pomegranate juice components as potential inhibitors of prostate cancer metastasis

Pomegranate juice (PJ) is a natural product that inhibits prostate cancer progression. A clinical trial on patients with recurrent prostate cancer resulted in none of the patients progressing to a metastatic stage during the period of the trial. We have previously found that, in addition to causing cell death of hormone-refractory prostate cancer cells, PJ also markedly increases adhesion and decreases migration of the cells that do not die. However, because PJ is a very complex mixture of components and is found in many different formulations, it is important to identify specific components that are effective in inhibiting growth and metastasis. Here, we show that the PJ components luteolin, ellagic acid, and punicic acid together inhibit growth of hormone-dependent and hormone-refractory prostate cancer cells and inhibit their migration and their chemotaxis toward stromal cell-derived factor 1α (SDF1α), a chemokine that is important in prostate cancer metastasis to the bone. These components also increase the expression of cell adhesion genes and decrease expression of genes involved in cell cycle control and cell migration. Furthermore, they increase several well-known tumor-suppression microRNAs (miRNAs), decrease several oncogenic miRNAs, and inhibit the chemokines receptor type 4 (CXCR4)/SDF1α chemotaxis axis. Our results suggest that these components may be more effective in inhibiting prostate cancer growth and metastasis than simply drinking the juice. Chemical modification of these components could further enhance their bioavailability and efficacy of treatment. Moreover, because the mechanisms of metastasis are similar for most cancers, these PJ components may also be effective in the treatment of metastasis of other cancers.

Growth, interaction, and positioning of microtubule asters in extremely large vertebrate embryo cells

Ray Rappaport spent many years studying microtubule asters, and how they induce cleavage furrows. Here, we review recent progress on aster structure and dynamics in zygotes and early blastomeres of Xenopus laevis and Zebrafish, where cells are extremely large. Mitotic and interphase asters differ markedly in size, and only interphase asters span the cell. Growth of interphase asters occurs by a mechanism that allows microtubule density at the aster periphery to remain approximately constant as radius increases. We discuss models for aster growth, and favor a branching nucleation process. Neighboring asters that grow into each other interact to block further growth at the shared boundary. We compare the morphology of interaction zones formed between pairs of asters that grow out from the poles of the same mitotic spindle (sister asters) and between pairs not related by mitosis (non-sister asters) that meet following polyspermic fertilization. We argue growing asters recognize each other by interaction between antiparallel microtubules at the mutual boundary, and discuss models for molecular organization of interaction zones. Finally, we discuss models for how asters, and the centrosomes within them, are positioned by dynein-mediated pulling forces so as to generate stereotyped cleavage patterns. Studying these problems in extremely large cells is starting to reveal how general principles of cell organization scale with cell size.