Polar opposites: Fine-tuning cytokinesis through SIN asymmetry

The core spindle pole body scaffold Ppc89 links the pericentrin orthologue Pcp1 to the fission yeast spindle pole body via an evolutionarily conserved interface

Centrosomes and spindle pole bodies (SPBs) are important for mitotic spindle formation and serve as cellular signaling platforms. Although centrosomes and SPBs differ in morphology, many mechanistic insights into centrosome function have been gleaned from SPB studies. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the α-helical protein Ppc89, identified based on its interaction with the septation initiation network scaffold Sid4, comprises the SPB core. High-resolution imaging has suggested that SPB proteins assemble on the Ppc89 core during SPB duplication, but such interactions are undefined. Here, we define a connection between Ppc89 and the essential pericentrin Pcp1. Specifically, we found that a predicted third helix within Ppc89 binds the Pcp1 pericentrin-AKAP450 centrosomal targeting (PACT) domain complexed with calmodulin. Ppc89 helix 3 contains similarity to present in the N-terminus of Cep57 (PINC) motifs found in the centrosomal proteins fly SAS-6 and human Cep57 and also to the S. cerevisiae SPB protein Spc42. These motifs bind pericentrin-calmodulin complexes and AlphaFold2 models suggest a homologous complex assembles in all four organisms. Mutational analysis of the S. pombe complex supports the importance of Ppc89-Pcp1 binding interface in vivo. Our studies provide insight into the core architecture of the S. pombe SPB and suggest an evolutionarily conserved mechanism of scaffolding pericentrin-calmodulin complexes for mitotic spindle formation.

Transient PP2A SIP complex localization to mitotic SPBs for SIN inhibition is mediated solely by the Csc1 FHA domain

Many organisms utilize an actin- and myosin-based cytokinetic ring (CR) to help complete cytokinesis. In Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the Septation Initiation Network (SIN) promotes proper CR function and stability. The SIN is a conserved and essential signaling network consisting of a GTPase and a cascade of kinases assembled at the spindle pole body (SPB). The PP2A SIN inhibitory phosphatase (SIP) complex related to the STRIPAK phosphatase complex is one inhibitor of SIN signaling. The SIP consists of Csc1, Csc2, Csc3, Csc4, Paa1, and the phosphatase subunit Ppa3. Here, we determine that the SIP is anchored at the SPB via the Csc1 FHA domain and that constitutive SPB localization of the SIP is lethal due to persistent SIN inhibition. Disrupting SIP docking at the SPB with a point mutation within the FHA domain or eliminating phosphatase activity by introducing a point mutation within Ppa3 resulted in intact SIP complexes without SIN inhibitory function. Lastly, we defined the unique features of Ppa3 that allow it, but not two other PP2A catalytic subunits, to incorporate into the SIP. Overall, we provide insight into how the SIP complex assembles, localizes, and functions to counteract the SIN with spatiotemporal precision during cytokinesis.

Cdc42 prevents precocious Rho1 activation during cytokinesis in a Pak1-dependent manner

During cytokinesis, a series of coordinated events partition a dividing cell. Accurate regulation of cytokinesis is essential for proliferation and genome integrity. In fission yeast, these coordinated events ensure that the actomyosin ring and septum start ingressing only after chromosome segregation. How cytokinetic events are coordinated remains unclear. The GTPase Cdc42 promotes recruitment of certain cell wall-building enzymes whereas the GTPase Rho1 activates these enzymes. We show that Cdc42 prevents early Rho1 activation during fission yeast cytokinesis. Using an active Rho probe, we find that although the Rho1 activators Rgf1 and Rgf3 localize to the division site in early anaphase, Rho1 is not activated until late anaphase, just before the onset of ring constriction. We find that loss of Cdc42 activation enables precocious Rho1 activation in early anaphase. Furthermore, we provide functional and genetic evidence that Cdc42-dependent Rho1 inhibition is mediated by the Cdc42 target Pak1 kinase. Our work proposes a mechanism of Rho1 regulation by active Cdc42 to coordinate timely septum formation and cytokinesis fidelity.

Fission Yeast Rho1p-GEFs: From Polarity and Cell Wall Synthesis to Genome Stability

Rho1p is a membrane-associated protein that belongs to the Rho family of small GTPases. These proteins coordinate processes such as actin remodelling and polarised secretion to maintain the shape and homeostasis of yeast cells. In response to extracellular stimuli, Rho1p undergoes conformational switching between a guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-bound active state and a guanosine diphosphate (GDP)-bound inactive state. Cycling is improved with guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) activity necessary to activate signalling and GTPase activating protein (GAP) activity required for subsequent signal depletion. This review focuses on fission yeast Rho1p GEFs, Rgf1p, Rgf2p, and Rgf3p that belong to the family of DH-PH domain-containing Dbl-related GEFs. They are multi-domain proteins that detect biological signals that induce or inhibit their catalytic activity over Rho1p. Each of them activates Rho1p in different places and times. Rgf1p acts preferentially during polarised growth. Rgf2p is required for sporulation, and Rgf3p plays an essential function in septum synthesis. In addition, we outline the noncanonical roles of Rho1p-GEFs in genomic instability.

Niemann-Pick Type C Proteins Are Required for Sterol Transport and Appressorium-Mediated Plant Penetration of Colletotrichum orbiculare

Many biotrophic and hemibiotrophic fungal pathogens use appressoria to directly penetrate the host plant surface. In the cucumber anthracnose fungus Colletotrichum orbiculare, differentiation of appressoria requires a proper G₁/S cell cycle progression, regulated by the GTPase-activating protein complex CoBub2-CoBfa1 and its downstream GTPase CoTem1. To explore the mechanisms by which the CoTem1 cascade regulates plant infection, we screened for CoTem1 interaction factors and identified a Niemann-Pick type C2 homolog (CoNpc2). Niemann-Pick type C proteins NPC1 and NPC2 are sterol-binding proteins required for sterol export from lysosomes (vacuoles) in humans and yeasts. We showed that CoNpc2 colocalized with CoNpc1 in late endosomes and vacuoles and that disruption of its gene resulted in aberrant sterol accumulation in vacuoles and loss of sterol membrane localization, indicating that NPC proteins are engaged in sterol transport in C. orbiculare. For appressorium infection, sterol transport and proper distribution mediated by CoNpc1 and CoNpc2 are critical for membrane integrity and membrane curvature with actin assembly, leading to penetration peg emergence and appressorial cone formation. Our results revealed a novel mechanism by which NPC proteins regulate appressorium-mediated plant infection.

Uncoupling of Mitosis and Cytokinesis Upon a Prolonged Arrest in Metaphase Is Influenced by Protein Phosphatases and Mitotic Transcription in Fission Yeast

Depletion of the Anaphase-Promoting Complex/Cyclosome (APC/C) activator Cdc20 arrests cells in metaphase with high levels of the mitotic cyclin (Cyclin B) and the Separase inhibitor Securin. In mammalian cells this arrest has been exploited for the treatment of cancer with drugs that engage the spindle assembly checkpoint and, recently, with chemical inhibitors of the APC/C. While most cells arrested in mitosis for prolonged periods undergo apoptosis, others skip cytokinesis and enter G1 with unsegregated chromosomes. This process, known as mitotic slippage, generates aneuploidy and increases genomic instability in the cancer cell. Here, we analyze the behavior of fission yeast cells arrested in mitosis through the transcriptional silencing of the Cdc20 homolog slp1. While depletion of slp1 readily halts cells in metaphase, this arrest is only transient and a majority of cells eventually undergo cytokinesis and show steady mitotic dephosphorylation. Notably, this occurs in the absence of Cyclin B (Cdc13) degradation. We investigate the involvement of phosphatase activity in these events and demonstrate that PP2A-B55^Pab1 is required to prevent septation and, during the arrest, its CDK-mediated inhibition facilitates the induction of cytokinesis. In contrast, deletion of PP2A-B56^Par1 completely abrogates septation. We show that this effect is partly due to this mutant entering mitosis with reduced CDK activity. Interestingly, both PP2A-B55^Pab1 and PP2A-B56^Par1, as well as Clp1 (the homolog of the budding yeast mitotic phosphatase Cdc14) are required for the dephosphorylation of mitotic substrates during the escape. Finally, we show that the mitotic transcriptional wave controlled by the RFX transcription factor Sak1 facilitates the induction of cytokinesis and also requires the activity of PP2A-B56^Par1 in a mechanism independent of CDK.

Fission yeast polycystin Pkd2p promotes cell size expansion and antagonizes the Hippo-related SIN pathway

Polycystins are conserved mechanosensitive channels whose mutations lead to the common human renal disorder autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Previously, we discovered that the plasma membrane-localized fission yeast polycystin homolog Pkd2p is an essential protein required for cytokinesis; however, its role remains unclear. Here, we isolated a novel temperature-sensitive pkd2 mutant, pkd2-B42. Among the strong growth defects of this mutant, the most striking was that many mutant cells often lost a significant portion of their volume in just 5 min followed by a gradual recovery, a process that we termed 'deflation'. Unlike cell lysis, deflation did not result in plasma membrane rupture and occurred independently of cell cycle progression. The tip extension of pkd2-B42 cells was 80% slower than that of wild-type cells, and their turgor pressure was 50% lower. Both pkd2-B42 and the hypomorphic depletion mutant pkd2-81KD partially rescued mutants of the septation initiation network (SIN), a yeast Hippo-related signaling pathway, by preventing cell lysis, enhancing septum formation and doubling the number of Sid2p and Mob1p molecules at the spindle pole bodies. We conclude that Pkd2p promotes cell size expansion during interphase by regulating turgor pressure and antagonizes the SIN during cytokinesis. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.

An updated view on the centrosome as a cell cycle regulator

The centrosome is a multifunctional organelle that is known primarily for its microtubule organising function. Centrosomal defects caused by changes in centrosomal structure or number have been associated with human diseases ranging from congenital defects to cancer. We are only beginning to appreciate how the non-microtubule organising roles of the centrosome are related to these clinical conditions. In this review, we will discuss the historical evidence that led to the proposal that the centrosome participates in cell cycle regulation. We then summarize the body of work that describes the involvement of the mammalian centrosome in triggering cell cycle progression and checkpoint signalling. Then we will highlight work from the fission yeast model organism, revealing the molecular details that explain how the spindle pole body (SPB, the yeast functional equivalent of the centrosome), participates in these cell cycle transitions. Importantly, we will discuss some of the emerging questions from recent discoveries related to the role of the centrosome as a cell cycle regulator.

Localization of the ubiquitin ligase Dma1 to the fission yeast contractile ring is modulated by phosphorylation

The timing of cytokinesis relative to other mitotic events in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe is controlled by the septation initiation network (SIN). During a mitotic checkpoint, the SIN is inhibited by the E3 ubiquitin ligase Dma1 to prevent chromosome mis-segregation. Dma1 dynamically localizes to spindle pole bodies (SPBs) and the contractile ring (CR) during mitosis, though its role at the CR is unknown. Here, we examined whether Dma1 phosphorylation affects its localization or function. We found that preventing Dma1 phosphorylation by substituting the six phosphosites with alanines diminished its CR localization but did not affect its mitotic checkpoint function. These studies reinforce the conclusion that Dma1 localization to the SPB is key to its role in the mitotic checkpoint.

Cdc42 reactivation at growth sites is regulated by local cell-cycle-dependent loss of its GTPase-activating protein Rga4 in fission yeast

In fission yeast, polarized cell growth stops during division and resumes after cytokinesis completes and cells separate. It is unclear how growth reactivation is timed to occur immediately after cell separation. We uncoupled these sequential events by delaying cytokinesis with a temporary Latrunculin A treatment. Mitotic cells recovering from treatment initiate end growth during septation, displaying a polar elongation simultaneous with septation (PrESS) phenotype. PrESS cell ends reactivate Cdc42, a major regulator of polarized growth, during septation, but at a fixed time after anaphase B. A candidate screen implicates Rga4, a negative regulator of Cdc42, in this process. We show that Rga4 appears punctate at the cell sides during G2, but is diffuse during mitosis, extending to the ends. Although the Morphogenesis Orb6 (MOR) pathway is known to promote cell separation and growth by activating protein synthesis, we find that, for polarized growth, removal of Rga4 from the ends is also necessary. Therefore, we propose that growth resumes after division once the MOR pathway is activated and the ends lose Rga4 in a cell-cycle-dependent manner.

The Role of the Cell Integrity Pathway in Septum Assembly in Yeast

Cytokinesis divides a mother cell into two daughter cells at the end of each cell cycle and proceeds via the assembly and constriction of a contractile actomyosin ring (CAR). Ring constriction promotes division furrow ingression, after sister chromatids are segregated to opposing sides of the cleavage plane. Cytokinesis contributes to genome integrity because the cells that fail to complete cytokinesis often reduplicate their chromosomes. While in animal cells, the last steps of cytokinesis involve extracellular matrix remodelling and mid-body abscission, in yeast, CAR constriction is coupled to the synthesis of a polysaccharide septum. To preserve cell integrity during cytokinesis, fungal cells remodel their cell wall through signalling pathways that connect receptors to downstream effectors, initiating a cascade of biological signals. One of the best-studied signalling pathways is the cell wall integrity pathway (CWI) of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and its counterpart in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the cell integrity pathway (CIP). Both are signal transduction pathways relying upon a cascade of MAP kinases. However, despite strong similarities in the assembly of the septa in both yeasts, there are significant mechanistic differences, including the relationship of this process with the cell integrity signalling pathways.

MOB: Pivotal Conserved Proteins in Cytokinesis, Cell Architecture and Tissue Homeostasis

The MOB family proteins are constituted by highly conserved eukaryote kinase signal adaptors that are often essential both for cell and organism survival. Historically, MOB family proteins have been described as kinase activators participating in Hippo and Mitotic Exit Network/ Septation Initiation Network (MEN/SIN) signaling pathways that have central roles in regulating cytokinesis, cell polarity, cell proliferation and cell fate to control organ growth and regeneration. In metazoans, MOB proteins act as central signal adaptors of the core kinase module MST1/2, LATS1/2, and NDR1/2 kinases that phosphorylate the YAP/TAZ transcriptional co-activators, effectors of the Hippo signaling pathway. More recently, MOBs have been shown to also have non-kinase partners and to be involved in cilia biology, indicating that its activity and regulation is more diverse than expected. In this review, we explore the possible ancestral role of MEN/SIN pathways on the built-in nature of a more complex and functionally expanded Hippo pathway, by focusing on the most conserved components of these pathways, the MOB proteins. We discuss the current knowledge of MOBs-regulated signaling, with emphasis on its evolutionary history and role in morphogenesis, cytokinesis, and cell polarity from unicellular to multicellular organisms.

A novel checkpoint pathway controls actomyosin ring constriction trigger in fission yeast

In fission yeast, the septation initiation network (SIN) ensures temporal coordination between actomyosin ring (CAR) constriction with membrane ingression and septum synthesis. However, questions remain about CAR regulation under stress conditions. We show that Rgf1p (Rho1p GEF), participates in a delay of cytokinesis under cell wall stress (blankophor, BP). BP did not interfere with CAR assembly or the rate of CAR constriction, but did delay the onset of constriction in the wild type cells but not in the rgf1Δ cells. This delay was also abolished in the absence of Pmk1p, the MAPK of the cell integrity pathway (CIP), leading to premature abscission and a multi-septated phenotype. Moreover, cytokinesis delay correlates with maintained SIN signaling and depends on the SIN to be achieved. Thus, we propose that the CIP participates in a checkpoint, capable of triggering a CAR constriction delay through the SIN pathway to ensure that cytokinesis terminates successfully.

F-BAR Cdc15 Promotes Cdc42 Activation During Cytokinesis and Cell Polarization in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Cdc42, a Rho-family GTPase, is a master regulator of cell polarity. Recently, it has been shown that Cdc42 also facilitates proper cytokinesis in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe Cdc42 is activated by two partially redundant GEFs, Gef1 and Scd1. Although both GEFs activate Cdc42, their deletion mutants display distinct phenotypes, indicating that they are differentially regulated by an unknown mechanism. During cytokinesis, Gef1 localizes to the division site and activates Cdc42 to initiate ring constriction and septum ingression. Here, we report that the F-BAR protein Cdc15 promotes Gef1 localization to its functional sites. We show that cdc15 promotes Gef1 association with cortical puncta at the incipient division site to activate Cdc42 during ring assembly. Moreover, cdc15 phospho-mutants phenocopy the polarity phenotypes of gef1 mutants. In a hypermorphic cdc15 mutant, Gef1 localizes precociously to the division site and is readily detected at the cortical patches and the cell cortex. Correspondingly, the hypermorphic cdc15 mutant shows increased bipolarity during interphase and precocious Cdc42 activation at the division site during cytokinesis. Finally, loss of gef1 in hypermorphic cdc15 mutants abrogates the increased bipolarity and precocious Cdc42 activation phenotype. We did not see any change in the localization of the other GEF Scd1 in a Cdc15-dependent manner. Our data indicate that Cdc15 facilitates Cdc42 activation at the division site during cytokinesis at the cell cortex to promote bipolarity and this is mediated by promoting Gef1 localization to these sites.

Plant pathogenic fungi Colletotrichum and Magnaporthe share a common G1 phase monitoring strategy for proper appressorium development

To breach the plant cuticle, many plant pathogenic fungi differentiate specialized infection structures (appressoria). In Colletotrichum orbiculare (cucumber anthracnose fungus), this differentiation requires unique proper G₁ /S phase progression, regulated by two-component GTPase activating protein CoBub2/CoBfa1 and GTPase CoTem1. Since their homologues regulate mitotic exit, cytokinesis, or septum formation from yeasts to mammals, we asked whether the BUB2 function in G₁ /S progression is specific to plant pathogenic fungi. Colletotrichum higginsianum and Magnaporthe oryzae were genetically analyzed to investigate conservation of BUB2 roles in cell cycle regulation, septum formation, and virulence. Expression profile of cobub2Δ was analyzed using a custom microarray. In bub2 mutants of both fungi, S phase initiation was earlier, and septum formation coordinated with a septation initiation network protein and contractile actin ring was impaired. Earlier G₁ /S transition in cobub2Δ results in especially high expression of DNA replication genes and differing regulation of virulence-associated genes that encode proteins such as carbohydrate-active enzymes and small secreted proteins. The virulence of chbub2Δ and mobub2Δ was significantly reduced. Our evidence shows that BUB2 regulation of G₁ /S transition and septum formation supports its specific requirement for appressorium development in plant pathogenic fungi.

Fission yeast TRP channel Pkd2p localizes to the cleavage furrow and regulates cell separation during cytokinesis

Force plays a central role in separating daughter cells during cytokinesis, the last stage of cell division. However, the mechanism of force sensing during cytokinesis remains unknown. Here we discovered that Pkd2p, a putative force-sensing transient receptor potential channel, localizes to the cleavage furrow during cytokinesis of the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Pkd2p, whose human homologues are associated with autosomal polycystic kidney disease, is an essential protein whose localization depends on the contractile ring and the secretory pathway. We identified and characterized a novel pkd2 mutant pkd2-81KD. The pkd2 mutant cells show signs of osmotic stress, including temporary shrinking, paused turnover of the cytoskeletal structures, and hyperactivated mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling. During cytokinesis, although the contractile ring constricts more rapidly in the pkd2 mutant than the wild-type cells (50% higher), the cell separation in the mutant is slower and often incomplete. These cytokinesis defects are also consistent with misregulated turgor pressure. Finally, the pkd2 mutant exhibits strong genetic interactions with two mutants of the septation initiation network pathway, a signaling cascade essential for cytokinesis. We propose that Pkd2p modulates osmotic homeostasis and is potentially a novel regulator of cytokinesis.

NDR Kinase Sid2 Drives Anillin-like Mid1 from the Membrane to Promote Cytokinesis and Medial Division Site Placement

In animals and fungi, cytokinesis is facilitated by the constriction of an actomyosin contractile ring (CR) [1]. In Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the CR forms mid-cell during mitosis from clusters of proteins at the medial cell cortex called nodes [2]. The anillin-like protein Mid1 localizes to nodes and is required for CR assembly at mid-cell [3]. When CR constriction begins, Mid1 leaves the division site. How Mid1 disassociates and whether this step is important for cytokinetic progression has been unknown. The septation initiation network (SIN), analogous to the Hippo pathway of multicellular organisms, is a signaling cascade that triggers node dispersal, CR assembly and constriction, and septum formation [4, 5]. We report that the terminal SIN kinase, Sid2 [6], phosphorylates Mid1 to drive its removal from the cortex at CR constriction onset. A Mid1 mutant that cannot be phosphorylated by Sid2 remains cortical during cytokinesis, over-accumulates in interphase nodes following cell division in a manner dependent on the SAD kinase Cdr2, advances the G2/M transition, precociously recruits other CR components to nodes, pulls Cdr2 aberrantly into the CR, and reduces rates of CR maturation and constriction. When combined with cdr2 mutants that affect node assembly or disassembly, gross defects in division site positioning result. Our findings identify Mid1 as a key Sid2 substrate for SIN-mediated remodeling of the division site for efficient cytokinesis and provide evidence that nodes serve to integrate signals coordinating cell cycle progression and cytokinesis.

A Cdc42 GEF, Gef1, through endocytosis organizes F-BAR Cdc15 along the actomyosin ring and promotes concentric furrowing

During cytokinesis, fission yeast coordinates actomyosin ring constriction with septum ingression, resulting in concentric furrow formation by a poorly defined mechanism. We report that Schizosaccharomyces pombe cells lacking the Cdc42 activator Gef1, combined with an activated allele of the formin, Cdc12, display non-concentric furrowing. Non-concentrically furrowing cells display uneven distribution of the scaffold Cdc15 along the ring. This suggests that, after ring assembly, uniform Cdc15 distribution along the ring enables proper furrow formation. We find that, after assembly, Cdc15 is recruited to the ring in an Arp2/3 complex-dependent manner and is decreased in the activated cdc12 mutant. Cdc15 at cortical endocytic patches shows increased levels and extended lifetimes in gef1 and activated cdc12 mutants. We hypothesize endocytosis helps recruit Cdc15 to assembled rings; uneven Cdc15 distribution at the ring occurs when endocytic patches contain increased Cdc15 levels and the patch-association rate is slow. Based on this, we developed a mathematical model that captures experimentally observed Cdc15 distributions along the ring. We propose that, at the ring, Gef1 and endocytic events promote uniform Cdc15 organization to enable proper septum ingression and concentric furrow formation.

Fission yeast type 2 node proteins Blt1p and Gef2p cooperate to ensure timely completion of cytokinesis

Background

The conserved NDR-family kinase Sid2p localizes to the contractile ring during fission yeast cytokinesis to promote ring constriction, septation, and completion of cell division. Previous studies have found that the Type 2 interphase node proteins Blt1p and Gef2p contribute to localization of Sid2p and its regulatory protein Mob1p at the division site. However, their relative contributions and whether they operate in the same or parallel pathways has been unclear. In this study, we quantify the respective roles of Blt1p and Gef2p in Sid2p/Mob1p recruitment and characterize the effect of single and double deletion mutants on contractile ring dynamics and completion of cell division.

Results

Using quantitative confocal fluorescence microscopy, we measured Sid2p and Mob1p recruitment to the division site in blt1∆, gef2∆, and blt1∆/gef2∆ mutant cells. We observed an equivalent decrease in Sid2p/Mob1p localization for both single and double mutants. Though assembly of the contractile ring is normal in these mutants, the reduction in Sid2p/Mob1p at the division site delayed the onset of contractile ring constriction and completion of division. We quantified localization of Blt1p and Gef2p at the medial cortex throughout the cell cycle and found that Blt1p localization to interphase nodes and the contractile ring is independent of Gef2p. However, Gef2p localization to the contractile ring is decreased in blt1∆ mutants.

Conclusions

Blt1p and Gef2p work in the same pathway, rather than in parallel, to localize the NDR-family kinase Sid2p and its regulatory partner Mob1p to the division site, thereby promoting timely completion of cell division. Future studies are necessary to understand how additional fission yeast cytokinesis proteins work with these Type 2 interphase node components to promote Sid2p/Mob1p recruitment.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12860-018-0182-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Relief of the Dma1-mediated checkpoint requires Dma1 autoubiquitination and dynamic localization

Chromosome segregation and cell division are coupled to prevent aneuploidy and cell death. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the septation initiation network (SIN) promotes cytokinesis, but upon mitotic checkpoint activation, the SIN is actively inhibited to prevent cytokinesis from occurring before chromosomes have safely segregated. SIN inhibition during the mitotic checkpoint is mediated by the E3 ubiquitin ligase Dma1. Dma1 binds to the CK1-phosphorylated SIN scaffold protein Sid4 at the spindle pole body (SPB), and ubiquitinates it. Sid4 ubiquitination antagonizes the SPB localization of the Pololike kinase Plo1, the major SIN activator, so that SIN signaling is delayed. How this checkpoint is silenced once spindle defects are resolved has not been clear. Here we establish that Dma1 transiently leaves SPBs during anaphase B due to extensive autoubiquitination. The SIN is required for Dma1 to return to SPBs later in anaphase. Blocking Dma1 removal from SPBs by permanently tethering it to Sid4 prevents SIN activation and cytokinesis. Therefore, controlling Dma1’s SPB dynamics in anaphase is an essential step in S. pombe cell division and the silencing of the Dma1-dependent mitotic checkpoint.

Specific detection of fission yeast primary septum reveals septum and cleavage furrow ingression during early anaphase independent of mitosis completion

It is widely accepted in eukaryotes that the cleavage furrow only initiates after mitosis completion. In fission yeast, cytokinesis requires the synthesis of a septum tightly coupled to cleavage furrow ingression. The current cytokinesis model establishes that simultaneous septation and furrow ingression only initiate after spindle breakage and mitosis exit. Thus, this model considers that although Cdk1 is inactivated at early-anaphase, septation onset requires the long elapsed time until mitosis completion and full activation of the Hippo-like SIN pathway. Here, we studied the precise timing of septation onset regarding mitosis by exploiting both the septum-specific detection with the fluorochrome calcofluor and the high-resolution electron microscopy during anaphase and telophase. Contrarily to the existing model, we found that both septum and cleavage furrow start to ingress at early anaphase B, long before spindle breakage, with a slow ingression rate during anaphase B, and greatly increasing after telophase onset. This shows that mitosis and cleavage furrow ingression are not concatenated but simultaneous events in fission yeast. We found that the timing of septation during early anaphase correlates with the cell size and is regulated by the corresponding levels of SIN Etd1 and Rho1. Cdk1 inactivation was directly required for timely septation in early anaphase. Strikingly the reduced SIN activity present after Cdk1 loss was enough to trigger septation by immediately inducing the medial recruitment of the SIN kinase complex Sid2-Mob1. On the other hand, septation onset did not depend on the SIN asymmetry establishment, which is considered a hallmark for SIN activation. These results recalibrate the timing of key cytokinetic events in fission yeast; and unveil a size-dependent control mechanism that synchronizes simultaneous nuclei separation with septum and cleavage furrow ingression to safeguard the proper chromosome segregation during cell division.

Fission yeast cytokinesis requires the invagination of the equatorial plasma membrane (cleavage furrow ingression) coupled to the synthesis of a special wall structure named septum (septation). Despite Cdk1 kinase is inactivated in early anaphase, it is believed that cleavage furrow ingression and septation onset require anaphase progression and mitosis completion, only initiating after the complete activation of the Hippo-like septation initiation network (SIN) after telophase onset. Here, we studied the precise timing of septation start with respect to mitosis through specific septum-staining and electron microscopy. We found that septum and cleavage furrow ingression initiate in early anaphase, showing first a slow ingression rate during anaphase B, and increasing to a fast ingression rate after telophase onset. Thus, mitosis and cleavage furrow ingression are not concatenated but simultaneous events in fission yeast. The timing of septation correlated with cell size and depended on the level of cytoplasmic activators like SIN Etd1 and Rho1. We further analyzed the mitotic mechanisms that control the septation onset during early anaphase. Cdk1 directly regulated the timing of septation onset during early anaphase, and the low SIN activity present after Cdk1 inactivation was enough to trigger septation. Globally, these results recalibrate the timing of the main cytokinetic events of fission yeast and reveal a size-dependent control mechanism that synchronizes simultaneous nuclei separation with septum and cleavage furrow ingression.

The kinase domain of CK1 enzymes contains the localization cue essential for compartmentalized signaling at the spindle pole

CK1 protein kinases contribute to multiple biological processes, but how they are tailored to function in compartmentalized signaling events is largely unknown. Hhp1 and Hhp2 (Hhp1/2) are the soluble CK1 family members in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. One of their functions is to inhibit the septation initiation network (SIN) during a mitotic checkpoint arrest. The SIN is assembled by Sid4 at spindle pole bodies (SPBs), and though Hhp1/2 colocalize there, it is not known how they are targeted there or whether their SPB localization is required for SIN inhibition. Here, we establish that Hhp1/2 localize throughout the cell cycle to SPBs, as well as to the nucleus, cell tips, and division site. We find that their catalytic domains but not their enzymatic function are used for SPB targeting and that this targeting strategy is conserved in human CK1δ/ε localization to centrosomes. Further, we pinpoint amino acids in the Hhp1 catalytic domain required for SPB interaction; mutation of these residues disrupts Hhp1 association with the core SPB protein Ppc89, and the inhibition of cytokinesis in the setting of spindle stress. Taken together, these data have enabled us to define a molecular mechanism used by CK1 enzymes to target a specific cellular locale for compartmentalized signaling.

Mitotic-Spindle Organizing Protein MztA Mediates Septation Signaling by Suppressing the Regulatory Subunit of Protein Phosphatase 2A-ParA in Aspergillus nidulans

The proper timing and positioning of cytokinesis/septation is crucial for hyphal growth and conidiation in Aspergillus nidulans. The septation initiation network (SIN) components are a conserved spindle pole body (SPB) localized signaling cascade and the terminal kinase complex SidB-MobA, which must localize on the SPB in this pathway to trigger septation/cytokinesis. The regulatory subunit of phosphatase PP2A-ParA has been identified to be a negative regulator capable of inactivating the SIN. However, little is known about how ParA regulates the SIN pathway and whether ParA regulates the septum formation process through affecting the SPB-localized SIN proteins. In this study, through RNA-Seq and genetic approaches, we identified a new positive septation regulator, a putative mitotic-spindle organizing protein and a yeast Mzt1 homolog MztA, which acts antagonistically toward PP2A-ParA to coordinately regulate the SPB-localized SIN proteins SidB-MobA during septation. These findings imply that regulators, phosphatase PP2A-ParA and MztA counteract the septation function probably through balancing the polymerization and depolymerization of microtubules at the SPB.

The Hippo Pathway Maintains the Equatorial Division Plane in the Ciliate Tetrahymena

The mechanisms that govern pattern formation within the cell are poorly understood. Ciliates carry on their surface an elaborate pattern of cortical organelles that are arranged along the anteroposterior and circumferential axes by largely unknown mechanisms. Ciliates divide by tandem duplication: the cortex of the predivision cell is remodeled into two similarly sized and complete daughters. In the conditional cdaI-1 mutant of Tetrahymena thermophila, the division plane migrates from its initially correct equatorial position toward the cell's anterior, resulting in unequal cell division, and defects in nuclear divisions and cytokinesis. We used comparative whole genome sequencing to identify the cause of cdaI-1 as a mutation in a Hippo/Mst kinase. CdaI is a cortical protein with a cell cycle-dependent, highly polarized localization. Early in cell division, CdaI marks the anterior half of the cell, and later concentrates at the posterior end of the emerging anterior daughter. Despite the strong association of CdaI with the new posterior cell end, the cdaI-1 mutation does not affect the patterning of the new posterior cortical organelles. We conclude that, in Tetrahymena, the Hippo pathway maintains an equatorial position of the fission zone, and, by this activity, specifies the relative dimensions of the anterior and posterior daughter cell.

The Possible Crosstalk of MOB2 With NDR1/2 Kinases in Cell Cycle and DNA Damage Signaling

This article is the authors' opinion of the roles of the signal transducer Mps one binder 2 (MOB2) in the control of cell cycle progression and the DNA Damage Response (DDR). We recently found that endogenous MOB2 is required to prevent the accumulation of endogenous DNA damage in order to prevent the undesired, and possibly detrimental, activation of cell cycle checkpoints. In this regard, it is noteworthy that MOB2 has been linked biochemically to the regulation of the NDR1/2 (aka STK38/STK38L) protein kinases, which themselves have functions at different steps of the cell cycle. Therefore, we are speculating in this article about the possible connections of MOB2 with NDR1/2 kinases in cell cycle and DDR Signaling.

Hydroxyurea Induces Cytokinesis Arrest in Cells Expressing a Mutated Sterol-14α-Demethylase in the Ergosterol Biosynthesis Pathway

Hydroxyurea (HU) has been used for the treatment of multiple diseases, such as cancer. The therapeutic effect is generally believed to be due to the suppression of ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), which slows DNA polymerase movement at replication forks and induces an S phase cell cycle arrest in proliferating cells. Although aberrant mitosis and DNA damage generated at collapsed forks are the likely causes of cell death in the mutants with defects in replication stress response, the mechanism underlying the cytotoxicity of HU in wild-type cells remains poorly understood. While screening for new fission yeast mutants that are sensitive to replication stress, we identified a novel mutation in the erg11 gene encoding the enzyme sterol-14α-demethylase in the ergosterol biosynthesis pathway that dramatically sensitizes the cells to chronic HU treatment. Surprisingly, HU mainly arrests the erg11 mutant cells in cytokinesis, not in S phase. Unlike the reversible S phase arrest in wild-type cells, the cytokinesis arrest induced by HU is relatively stable and occurs at low doses of the drug, which likely explains the remarkable sensitivity of the mutant to HU. We also show that the mutation causes sterol deficiency, which may predispose the cells to the cytokinesis arrest and lead to cell death. We hypothesize that in addition to the RNR, HU may have a secondary unknown target(s) inside cells. Identification of such a target(s) may greatly improve the chemotherapies that employ HU or help to expand the clinical usage of this drug for additional pathological conditions.

The septation initiation network controls the assembly of nodes containing Cdr2p for cytokinesis in fission yeast

In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, cortical protein structures called interphase nodes help to prepare the cell for cytokinesis by positioning precursors of the cytokinetic contractile ring, and the septation initiation network (SIN) regulates the onset of cytokinesis and septum formation. Previous work has noted that one type of interphase node disappears during mitosis providing SIN activity is high. Here, we used time-lapse fluorescence microscopy to provide evidence that SIN activity is necessary and sufficient to disperse the type 1 node proteins Cdr2p and Mid1p into the cytoplasm, so these nodes assemble only during interphase through early mitosis when SIN activity is low. Activating the SIN in interphase cells dispersed Cdr2p and anillin Mid1p from type 1 nodes a few min after the SIN kinase Cdc7p–GFP accumulated at spindle pole bodies. If the SIN was then turned off in interphase cells, Cdr2p and Mid1p reappeared in nodes in parallel with the decline in SIN activity. Hyperactivating SIN during mitosis dispersed type 1 nodes earlier than normal, and prolonged SIN activation prevented nodes from reforming at the end of mitosis.

The price of independence: cell separation in fission yeast

The ultimate goal of cell division is to give rise to two viable independent daughter cells. A tight spatial and temporal regulation between chromosome segregation and cytokinesis ensures the viability of the daughter cells. Schizosaccharomyces pombe, commonly known as fission yeast, has become a leading model organism for studying essential and conserved mechanisms of the eukaryotic cell division process. Like many other eukaryotic cells it divides by binary fission and the cleavage furrow undergoes ingression due to the contraction of an actomyosin ring. In contrast to mammalian cells, yeasts as cell-walled organisms, also need to form a division septum made of cell wall material to complete the process of cytokinesis. The division septum is deposited behind the constricting ring and it will constitute the new ends of the daughter cells. Cell separation also involves cell wall degradation and this process should be precisely regulated to avoid cell lysis. In this review, we will give a brief overview of the whole cytokinesis process in fission yeast, from the positioning and assembly of the contractile ring to the final step of cell separation, and the problems generated when these processes are not precise.

Molecular control of fission yeast cytokinesis

Cytokinesis gives rise to two independent daughter cells at the end of the cell division cycle. The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe has emerged as one of the most powerful systems to understand how cytokinesis is controlled molecularly. Like in most eukaryotes, fission yeast cytokinesis depends on an acto-myosin based contractile ring that assembles at the division site under the control of spatial cues that integrate information on cell geometry and the position of the mitotic apparatus. Cytokinetic events are also tightly coordinated with nuclear division by the cell cycle machinery. These spatial and temporal regulations ensure an equal cleavage of the cytoplasm and an accurate segregation of the genetic material in daughter cells. Although this model system has specificities, the basic mechanisms of contractile ring assembly and function deciphered in fission yeast are highly valuable to understand how cytokinesis is controlled in other organisms that rely on a contractile ring for cell division.

Comparative biology of cell division in the fission yeast clade

Cytokinesis must be regulated in time and space in order to preserve genome integrity during cell proliferation and to allow daughter cells to adopt distinct fates and geometries during differentiation. The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe has been a popular model organism for understanding spatiotemporal regulation of cytokinesis in a symmetrically dividing cell. Recent work on another member of the same genus, Schisozaccharomyces japonicus, suggests that S. pombe may have evolved an unusual division site placement mechanism based on a recently duplicated anillin paralog. Here we discuss an extraordinary evolutionary plasticity of cytokinesis within the fission yeast clade and argue that the comparative cell biology approach may provide functional insights beyond those afforded by scrutinizing individual model species.

An Extended, Boolean Model of the Septation Initiation Network in S.Pombe Provides Insights into Its Regulation

Cytokinesis in fission yeast is controlled by the Septation Initiation Network (SIN), a protein kinase signaling network using the spindle pole body as scaffold. In order to describe the qualitative behavior of the system and predict unknown mutant behaviors we decided to adopt a Boolean modeling approach. In this paper, we report the construction of an extended, Boolean model of the SIN, comprising most SIN components and regulators as individual, experimentally testable nodes. The model uses CDK activity levels as control nodes for the simulation of SIN related events in different stages of the cell cycle. The model was optimized using single knock-out experiments of known phenotypic effect as a training set, and was able to correctly predict a double knock-out test set. Moreover, the model has made in silico predictions that have been validated in vivo, providing new insights into the regulation and hierarchical organization of the SIN.

Centrosomes as signalling centres

Centrosomes-as well as the related spindle pole bodies (SPBs) of yeast-have been extensively studied from the perspective of their microtubule-organizing roles. Moreover, the biogenesis and duplication of these organelles have been the subject of much attention, and the importance of centrosomes and the centriole-ciliary apparatus for human disease is well recognized. Much less developed is our understanding of another facet of centrosomes and SPBs, namely their possible role as signalling centres. Yet, many signalling components, including kinases and phosphatases, have been associated with centrosomes and spindle poles, giving rise to the hypothesis that these organelles might serve as hubs for the integration and coordination of signalling pathways. In this review, we discuss a number of selected studies that bear on this notion. We cover different processes (cell cycle control, development, DNA damage response) and organisms (yeast, invertebrates and vertebrates), but have made no attempt to be comprehensive. This field is still young and although the concept of centrosomes and SPBs as signalling centres is attractive, it remains primarily a concept-in need of further scrutiny. We hope that this review will stimulate thought and experimentation.

Pombe's thirteen - control of fission yeast cell division by the septation initiation network

The septation initiation network (SIN) regulates aspects of cell growth and division in Schizosaccharomyces pombe and is essential for cytokinesis. Insufficient signalling results in improper assembly of the contractile ring and failure of cytokinesis, generating multinucleated cells, whereas too much SIN signalling uncouples cytokinesis from the rest of the cell cycle. SIN signalling is therefore tightly controlled to coordinate cytokinesis with chromosome segregation. Signalling originates from the cytoplasmic face of the spindle pole body (SPB), and asymmetric localisation of some SIN proteins to one of the two SPBs during mitosis is important for regulation of the SIN. Recent studies have identified in vivo substrates of the SIN, which include components involved in mitotic control, those of the contractile ring and elements of the signalling pathway regulating polarised growth. The SIN is also required for spore formation following meiosis. This has provided insights into how the SIN performs its diverse functions in the cell cycle and shed new light on its regulation.

Binding of Kif23-iso1/CHO1 to 14-3-3 is regulated by sequential phosphorylations at two LATS kinase consensus sites

Kif23 kinesin is an essential actor of cytokinesis in animals. It exists as two major isoforms, known as MKLP1 and CHO1, the longest of which, CHO1, contains two HXRXXS/T NDR/LATS kinase consensus sites. We demonstrate that these two sites are readily phosphorylated by NDR and LATS kinases in vitro, and this requires the presence of an upstream -5 histidine residue. We further show that these sites are phosphorylated in vivo and provide evidence revealing that LATS1,2 participate in the phosphorylation of the most C-terminal S814 site, present on both isoforms. This S814 phosphosite was previously reported to constitute a 14-3-3 binding site, which plays a role in Kif23 clustering during cytokinesis. Surprisingly, we found that phosphorylation of the upstream S716 NDR/LATS consensus site, present only in the longest Kif23 isoform, is required for efficient phosphorylation at S814, thus revealing sequential phosphorylation at these two sites, and differential regulation of Kif23-14-3-3 interaction for the two Kif23 isoforms. Finally, we provide evidence that Kif23 is largely unphosphorylated on S814 in post-abscission midbodies, making this Kif23 post-translational modification a potential marker to probe these structures.

Regulation of DNA damage responses and cell cycle progression by hMOB2

Mps one binder proteins (MOBs) are conserved regulators of essential signalling pathways. Biochemically, human MOB2 (hMOB2) can inhibit NDR kinases by competing with hMOB1 for binding to NDRs. However, biological roles of hMOB2 have remained enigmatic. Here, we describe novel functions of hMOB2 in the DNA damage response (DDR) and cell cycle regulation. hMOB2 promotes DDR signalling, cell survival and cell cycle arrest after exogenously induced DNA damage. Under normal growth conditions in the absence of exogenously induced DNA damage hMOB2 plays a role in preventing the accumulation of endogenous DNA damage and a subsequent p53/p21-dependent G1/S cell cycle arrest. Unexpectedly, these molecular and cellular phenotypes are not observed upon NDR manipulations, indicating that hMOB2 performs these functions independent of NDR signalling. Thus, to gain mechanistic insight, we screened for novel binding partners of hMOB2, revealing that hMOB2 interacts with RAD50, facilitating the recruitment of the MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 (MRN) DNA damage sensor complex and activated ATM to DNA damaged chromatin. Taken together, we conclude that hMOB2 supports the DDR and cell cycle progression.

Analysis of S. pombe SIN protein association to the SPB reveals two genetically separable states of the SIN

The Schizosaccharomyces pombe septation initiation network (SIN) regulates cytokinesis, and asymmetric association of SIN proteins with the mitotic spindle pole bodies (SPBs) is important for its regulation. Here, we have used semi-automated image analysis to study SIN proteins in large numbers of wild-type and mutant cells. Our principal conclusions are: first, that the association of Cdc7p with the SPBs in early mitosis is frequently asymmetric, with a bias in favour of the new SPB; second, that the early association of Cdc7p-GFP to the SPB depends on Plo1p but not Spg1p, and is unaffected by mutations that influence its asymmetry in anaphase; third, that Cdc7p asymmetry in anaphase B is delayed by Pom1p and by activation of the spindle assembly checkpoint, and is promoted by Rad24p; and fourth, that the length of the spindle, expressed as a fraction of the length of the cell, at which Cdc7p becomes asymmetric is similar in cells dividing at different sizes. These data reveal that multiple regulatory mechanisms control the SIN in mitosis and lead us to propose a two-state model to describe the SIN.

Kinesin-14 and kinesin-5 antagonistically regulate microtubule nucleation by γ-TuRC in yeast and human cells

Bipolar spindle assembly is a critical control point for initiation of mitosis through nucleation and organization of spindle microtubules and is regulated by kinesin-like proteins. In fission yeast, the kinesin-14 Pkl1 binds the γ-tubulin ring complex (γ-TuRC) microtubule-organizing centre at spindle poles and can alter its structure and function. Here we show that kinesin-14 blocks microtubule nucleation in yeast and reveal that this inhibition is countered by the kinesin-5 protein, Cut7. Furthermore, we demonstrate that Cut7 binding to γ-TuRC and the Cut7 BimC domain are both required for inhibition of Pkl1. We also demonstrate that a yeast kinesin-14 peptide blocks microtubule nucleation in two human breast cancer cell lines, suggesting that this mechanism is evolutionarily conserved. In conclusion, using genetic, biochemical and cell biology approaches we uncover antagonistic control of microtubule nucleation at γ-TuRC by two kinesin-like proteins, which may represent an attractive anti-mitotic target for cancer therapies.

Mitotic spindle assembly requires strict control of microtubule nucleation by γ-tubulin ring complexes. Olmsted et al. report that the kinesin-like proteins Pkl1 and Cut7 antagonistically regulate nucleation in fission yeast, and show that a Pkl1 peptide blocks spindle assembly in human cancer cells.

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) regulatory subunits ParA and PabA orchestrate septation and conidiation and are essential for PP2A activity in Aspergillus nidulans

Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a major intracellular protein phosphatase that regulates multiple aspects of cell growth and metabolism. Different activities of PP2A and subcellular localization are determined by its regulatory subunits. Here we identified and characterized the functions of two protein phosphatase regulatory subunit homologs, ParA and PabA, in Aspergillus nidulans. Our results demonstrate that ParA localizes to the septum site and that deletion of parA causes hyperseptation, while overexpression of parA abolishes septum formation; this suggests that ParA may function as a negative regulator of septation. In comparison, PabA displays a clear colocalization pattern with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI)-stained nuclei, and deletion of pabA induces a remarkable delayed-septation phenotype. Both parA and pabA are required for hyphal growth, conidiation, and self-fertilization, likely to maintain normal levels of PP2A activity. Most interestingly, parA deletion is capable of suppressing septation defects in pabA mutants, suggesting that ParA counteracts PabA during the septation process. In contrast, double mutants of parA and pabA led to synthetic defects in colony growth, indicating that ParA functions synthetically with PabA during hyphal growth. Moreover, unlike the case for PP2A-Par1 and PP2A-Pab1 in yeast (which are negative regulators that inactivate the septation initiation network [SIN]), loss of ParA or PabA fails to suppress defects of temperature-sensitive mutants of the SEPH kinase of the SIN. Thus, our findings support the previously unrealized evidence that the B-family subunits of PP2A have comprehensive functions as partners of heterotrimeric enzyme complexes of PP2A, both spatially and temporally, in A. nidulans.

Cross talk between NDR kinase pathways coordinates cytokinesis with cell separation in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

NDR (nuclear Dbf-2-related) kinases constitute key regulatory nodes in signaling networks that control multiple biological processes such as growth, proliferation, mitotic exit, morphogenesis, and apoptosis. Two NDR pathways called the septation initiation network (SIN) and the morphogenesis Orb6 network (MOR) exist in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The SIN promotes cytokinesis, and the MOR drives cell separation at the end of cytokinesis and polarized growth during interphase. We showed previously that cross talk exists between these two pathways, with the SIN inhibiting the MOR during cytokinesis through phosphorylation of the MOR component Nak1 by the SIN Sid2 kinase. The reason for this inhibition remained uncertain. We show here that failure to inhibit MOR signaling during cytokinesis results in cell lysis at the site of septum formation. Time-lapse analysis revealed that MOR signaling during cytokinesis causes cells to prematurely initiate septum degradation/cell separation. The cell lysis phenotype is due to premature initiation of cell separation because it can be rescued by mutations in genes required for cell separation/septum degradation. We also shed further light on how the SIN inhibits the MOR. Sid2 phosphorylation of the MOR proteins Sog2 and Nak1 is required to prevent cell lysis during cytokinesis. Together, these results show that SIN inhibition of the MOR enforces proper temporal ordering of cytokinetic events.

Cdk1 promotes cytokinesis in fission yeast through activation of the septation initiation network

In Schizosaccharomyces pombe, late mitotic events are coordinated with cytokinesis by the septation initiation network (SIN), an essential spindle pole body (SPB)-associated kinase cascade, which controls the formation, maintenance, and constriction of the cytokinetic ring. It is not fully understood how SIN initiation is temporally regulated, but it depends on the activation of the GTPase Spg1, which is inhibited during interphase by the essential bipartite GTPase-activating protein Byr4-Cdc16. Cells are particularly sensitive to the modulation of Byr4, which undergoes cell cycle-dependent phosphorylation presumed to regulate its function. Polo-like kinase, which promotes SIN activation, is partially responsible for Byr4 phosphorylation. Here we show that Byr4 is also controlled by cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk1)-mediated phosphorylation. A Cdk1 nonphosphorylatable Byr4 phosphomutant displays severe cell division defects, including the formation of elongated, multinucleate cells, failure to maintain the cytokinetic ring, and compromised SPB association of the SIN kinase Cdc7. Our analyses show that Cdk1-mediated phosphoregulation of Byr4 facilitates complete removal of Byr4 from metaphase SPBs in concert with Plo1, revealing an unexpected role for Cdk1 in promoting cytokinesis through activation of the SIN pathway.

Cytokinetic nodes in fission yeast arise from two distinct types of nodes that merge during interphase

Two distinct classes of cortical nodes form separately during interphase in fission yeast cells and then merge at the cell equator by a diffuse-and-capture mechanism to prepare nodes to form the contractile ring for cytokinesis.

We investigated the assembly of cortical nodes that generate the cytokinetic contractile ring in fission yeast. Observations of cells expressing fluorescent fusion proteins revealed two types of interphase nodes. Type 1 nodes containing kinase Cdr1p, kinase Cdr2p, and anillin Mid1p form in the cortex around the nucleus early in G2. Type 2 nodes with protein Blt1p, guanosine triphosphate exchange factor Gef2p, and kinesin Klp8p emerge from contractile ring remnants. Quantitative measurements and computer simulations showed that these two types of nodes come together by a diffuse-and-capture mechanism: type 2 nodes diffuse to the equator and are captured by stationary type 1 nodes. During mitosis, cytokinetic nodes with Mid1p and all of the type 2 node markers incorporate into the contractile ring, whereas type 1 nodes with Cdr1p and Cdr2p follow the separating nuclei before dispersing into the cytoplasm, dependent on septation initiation network signaling. The two types of interphase nodes follow parallel branches of the pathway to prepare nodes for cytokinesis.

Proper actin ring formation and septum constriction requires coordinated regulation of SIN and MOR pathways through the germinal centre kinase MST-1

Nuclear DBF2p-related (NDR) kinases constitute a functionally conserved protein family of eukaryotic regulators that control cell division and polarity. In fungi, they function as effector kinases of the morphogenesis (MOR) and septation initiation (SIN) networks and are activated by pathway-specific germinal centre (GC) kinases. We characterized a third GC kinase, MST-1, that connects both kinase cascades. Genetic and biochemical interactions with SIN components and life cell imaging identify MST-1 as SIN-associated kinase that functions in parallel with the GC kinase SID-1 to activate the SIN-effector kinase DBF-2. SID-1 and MST-1 are both regulated by the upstream SIN kinase CDC-7, yet in an opposite manner. Aberrant cortical actomyosin rings are formed in Δmst-1, which resulted in mis-positioned septa and irregular spirals, indicating that MST-1-dependent regulation of the SIN is required for proper formation and constriction of the septal actomyosin ring. However, MST-1 also interacts with several components of the MOR network and modulates MOR activity at multiple levels. MST-1 functions as promiscuous enzyme and also activates the MOR effector kinase COT-1 through hydrophobic motif phosphorylation. In addition, MST-1 physically interacts with the MOR kinase POD-6, and dimerization of both proteins inactivates the GC kinase hetero-complex. These data specify an antagonistic relationship between the SIN and MOR during septum formation in the filamentous ascomycete model Neurospora crassa that is, at least in part, coordinated through the GC kinase MST-1. The similarity of the SIN and MOR pathways to the animal Hippo and Ndr pathways, respectively, suggests that intensive cross-communication between distinct NDR kinase modules may also be relevant for the homologous NDR kinases of higher eukaryotes.

Cytokinesis is a fundamental cellular process essential for cell proliferation of uni- and multicellular organisms. The molecular pathways that regulate cytokinesis are highly complex and involve a large number of components that form elaborate interactive networks. The fungal septation initiation network (SIN) functions as tripartite kinase cascade that connects cell cycle progression with the control of cell division. Mis-regulation of the homologous Hippo pathway in animals results in excessive proliferation and formation of tumors, underscoring the conservation and importance of these kinase networks. A second morphogenesis (MOR) pathway involves homologous components and is controlling cell polarity in fungi and higher eukaryotes. Here we show that the promiscuous functioning Ste20-related kinase MST-1 has a dual role in regulating SIN and MOR network function. Moreover, SIN and MOR coordination through MST-1 can be achieved in an enzyme-independent manner through hetero-dimerization of germinal centre kinases, providing an additional level for activity regulation of signaling networks that is not dependent on phosphate transfer. Given the functional conservation of NDR kinase signaling modules and their regulation, our work may define general mechanisms by which NDR kinase pathway are coordinated in fungi and higher eukaryotes.

Application of a new dual localization-affinity purification tag reveals novel aspects of protein kinase biology in Aspergillus nidulans

Filamentous fungi occupy critical environmental niches and have numerous beneficial industrial applications but devastating effects as pathogens and agents of food spoilage. As regulators of essentially all biological processes protein kinases have been intensively studied but how they regulate the often unique biology of filamentous fungi is not completely understood. Significant understanding of filamentous fungal biology has come from the study of the model organism Aspergillus nidulans using a combination of molecular genetics, biochemistry, cell biology and genomic approaches. Here we describe dual localization-affinity purification (DLAP) tags enabling endogenous N or C-terminal protein tagging for localization and biochemical studies in A. nidulans. To establish DLAP tag utility we endogenously tagged 17 protein kinases for analysis by live cell imaging and affinity purification. Proteomic analysis of purifications by mass spectrometry confirmed association of the CotA and NimX^Cdk1 kinases with known binding partners and verified a predicted interaction of the SldA^Bub1/R1 spindle assembly checkpoint kinase with SldB^Bub3. We demonstrate that the single TOR kinase of A. nidulans locates to vacuoles and vesicles, suggesting that the function of endomembranes as major TOR cellular hubs is conserved in filamentous fungi. Comparative analysis revealed 7 kinases with mitotic specific locations including An-Cdc7 which unexpectedly located to mitotic spindle pole bodies (SPBs), the first such localization described for this family of DNA replication kinases. We show that the SepH septation kinase locates to SPBs specifically in the basal region of apical cells in a biphasic manner during mitosis and again during septation. This results in gradients of SepH between G1 SPBs which shift along hyphae as each septum forms. We propose that SepH regulates the septation initiation network (SIN) specifically at SPBs in the basal region of G1 cells and that localized gradients of SIN activity promote asymmetric septation.

Feedback regulation of SIN by Etd1 and Rho1 in fission yeast

In fission yeast, the septation initiation network (SIN) is thought to promote cytokinesis by downstream activation of Rho1, a conserved GTPase that controls cell growth and division. Here we show that Etd1 and PP2A-Pab1, antagonistic regulators of SIN, are Rho1 regulators. Our genetic and biochemical studies indicate that a C-terminal region of Etd1 may activate Rho1 by directly binding it, whereas an N-terminal domain confers its ability to localize at the growing tips and the division site where Rho1 functions. In opposition to Etd1, our results indicate that PP2A-Pab1 inhibits Rho1. The SIN cascade is upstream-regulated by the Spg1 GTPase. In the absence of Etd1, activity of Spg1 drops down prematurely, thereby inactivating SIN. Interestingly, we find that ectopic activation of Rho1 restores Spg1 activity in Etd1-depleted cells. By using a cytokinesis block strategy, we show that Rho1 is essential to feedback-activate Spg1 during actomyosin ring constriction. Therefore, activation of Spg1 by Rho1, which in turn is regulated by Etd1, uncovers a novel feedback loop mechanism that ensures SIN activity while cytokinesis is progressing.

SIN-dependent phosphoinhibition of formin multimerization controls fission yeast cytokinesis

In Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the septation initiation network (SIN) controls cytokinetic ring (CR) formation, maintenance, and constriction. Bohnert et al. identify Cdc12 as a key CR substrate of SIN kinase Sid2. Eliminating Sid2-mediated Cdc12 phosphorylation allows multimerization of a domain that confers F-actin bundling activity, which leads to persistent Cdc12 clustering, causing CRs to collapse when cytokinesis is delayed. These findings identify a SIN-triggered oligomeric switch that modulates cytokinetic formin function, revealing a novel mechanism of actin cytoskeleton regulation during cell division.

Many eukaryotes accomplish cell division by building and constricting a medial actomyosin-based cytokinetic ring (CR). In Schizosaccharomyces pombe, a Hippo-related signaling pathway termed the septation initiation network (SIN) controls CR formation, maintenance, and constriction. However, how the SIN regulates integral CR components was unknown. Here, we identify the essential cytokinetic formin Cdc12 as a key CR substrate of SIN kinase Sid2. Eliminating Sid2-mediated Cdc12 phosphorylation leads to persistent Cdc12 clustering, which prevents CR assembly in the absence of anillin-like Mid1 and causes CRs to collapse when cytokinesis is delayed. Molecularly, Sid2 phosphorylation of Cdc12 abrogates multimerization of a previously unrecognized Cdc12 domain that confers F-actin bundling activity. Taken together, our findings identify a SIN-triggered oligomeric switch that modulates cytokinetic formin function, revealing a novel mechanism of actin cytoskeleton regulation during cell division.

Phospho-regulation of the Neurospora crassa septation initiation network

Proper cell division is essential for growth and development of uni- and multicellular organisms. The fungal septation initiation network (SIN) functions as kinase cascade that connects cell cycle progression with the initiation of cytokinesis. Miss-regulation of the homologous Hippo pathway in animals results in excessive cell proliferation and formation of tumors, underscoring the conservation of both pathways. How SIN proteins interact and transmit signals through the cascade is only beginning to be understood. Moreover, our understanding of septum formation and its regulation in filamentous fungi, which represent the vast majority of the fungal kingdom, is highly fragmentary. We determined that a tripartite kinase cascade, consisting of CDC-7, SID-1 and DBF-2, together with their regulatory subunits CDC-14 and MOB-1, is important for septum formation in the model mold Neurospora crassa. DBF-2 activity and septum formation requires auto-phosphorylation at Ser499 within the activation segment and phosphorylation of Thr671 in the hydrophobic motif by SID-1. Moreover, SID-1-stimulated DBF-2 activity is further enhanced by CDC-7, supporting a stepwise activation mechanism of the tripartite SIN kinase cascade in fungi. However, in contrast to the situation described for unicellular yeasts, the localization of the entire SIN cascade to spindle pole bodies is constitutive and cell cycle independent. Moreover, all SIN proteins except CDC-7 form cortical rings prior to septum initiation and localize to constricting septa. Thus, SIN localization and activity regulation significantly differs in unicellular versus syncytial ascomycete fungi.

CK1 is required for a mitotic checkpoint that delays cytokinesis

Failure to accurately partition genetic material during cell division causes aneuploidy and drives tumorigenesis. Cell-cycle checkpoints safeguard cells from such catastrophes by impeding cell-cycle progression when mistakes arise. FHA-RING E3 ligases, including human RNF8 and CHFR and fission yeast Dma1, relay checkpoint signals by binding phosphorylated proteins via their FHA domains and promoting ubiquitination of downstream targets. Upon mitotic checkpoint activation, S. pombe Dma1 concentrates at spindle pole bodies (SPBs) in an FHA-dependent manner and ubiquitinates Sid4, a scaffold of Polo kinase, to suspend cytokinesis. However, the kinase or kinases that phosphoprime Sid4 for Dma1-mediated ubiquitination are unknown. Here, we report that the highly conserved protein kinase CK1 transmits the signal necessary to stall cytokinesis by phosphopriming Sid4 for Dma1-mediated ubiquitination. Like Dma1, CK1 accumulates at SPBs during a mitotic arrest and associates stably with SPB components, including Sid4. Our results establish CK1 as an integral component of a mitotic, ubiquitin-mediated checkpoint pathway.

Relationships between cell cycle regulator gene copy numbers and protein expression levels in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

We previously determined the copy number limits of overexpression for cell division cycle (cdc) regulatory genes in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe using the “genetic tug-of-war” (gTOW) method. In this study, we measured the levels of tandem affinity purification (TAP)-tagged target proteins when their copy numbers are increased in gTOW. Twenty analyzed genes showed roughly linear correlations between increased protein levels and gene copy numbers, which suggested a general lack of compensation for gene dosage in S. pombe. Cdc16 and Sid2 protein levels but not their mRNA levels were much lower than that expected by their copy numbers, which suggested the existence of a post-transcriptional down regulation of these genes. The cyclin Cig1 protein level and its mRNA level were much higher than that expected by its copy numbers, which suggested a positive feedback mechanism for its expression. A higher Cdc10 protein level and its mRNA level, probably due to cloning its gene into a plasmid, indicated that Cdc10 regulation was more robust than that previously predicted.

Cooperation between Rho-GEF Gef2 and its binding partner Nod1 in the regulation of fission yeast cytokinesis

Previous results showed that putative Rho-GEF Gef2 regulates division-site positioning during early cytokinesis in fission yeast. Here Nod1 is identified as a binding partner of Gef2. The two proteins form a complex to regulate division-site positioning and contractile-ring maintenance. In addition, Gef2 binds to GTPases Rho1, Rho4, and Rho5 in vitro.

Cytokinesis is the last step of the cell-division cycle, which requires precise spatial and temporal regulation to ensure genetic stability. Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors (Rho GEFs) and Rho GTPases are among the key regulators of cytokinesis. We previously found that putative Rho-GEF Gef2 coordinates with Polo kinase Plo1 to control the medial cortical localization of anillin-like protein Mid1 in fission yeast. Here we show that an adaptor protein, Nod1, colocalizes with Gef2 in the contractile ring and its precursor cortical nodes. Like gef2∆, nod1∆ has strong genetic interactions with various cytokinesis mutants involved in division-site positioning, suggesting a role of Nod1 in early cytokinesis. We find that Nod1 and Gef2 interact through the C-termini, which is important for their localization. The contractile-ring localization of Nod1 and Gef2 also depends on the interaction between Nod1 and the F-BAR protein Cdc15, where the Nod1/Gef2 complex plays a role in contractile-ring maintenance and affects the septation initiation network. Moreover, Gef2 binds to purified GTPases Rho1, Rho4, and Rho5 in vitro. Taken together, our data indicate that Nod1 and Gef2 function cooperatively in a protein complex to regulate fission yeast cytokinesis.