Mechanism of the formation of contractile ring in dividing cultured animal cells. I. Recruitment of preexisting actin filaments into the cleavage furrow

Myosin II regulatory light chain phosphorylation and formin availability modulate cytokinesis upon changes in carbohydrate metabolism

Cytokinesis, the separation of daughter cells at the end of mitosis, relies in animal cells on a contractile actomyosin ring (CAR) composed of actin and class II myosins, whose activity is strongly influenced by regulatory light chain (RLC) phosphorylation. However, in simple eukaryotes such as the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, RLC phosphorylation appears dispensable for regulating CAR dynamics. We found that redundant phosphorylation at Ser35 of the S. pombe RLC homolog Rlc1 by the p21-activated kinases Pak1 and Pak2, modulates myosin II Myo2 activity and becomes essential for cytokinesis and cell growth during respiration. Previously, we showed that the stress-activated protein kinase pathway (SAPK) MAPK Sty1 controls fission yeast CAR integrity by downregulating formin For3 levels (Gómez-Gil et al., 2020). Here, we report that the reduced availability of formin For3-nucleated actin filaments for the CAR is the main reason for the required control of myosin II contractile activity by RLC phosphorylation during respiration-induced oxidative stress. Thus, the restoration of For3 levels by antioxidants overrides the control of myosin II function regulated by RLC phosphorylation, allowing cytokinesis and cell proliferation during respiration. Therefore, fine-tuned interplay between myosin II function through Rlc1 phosphorylation and environmentally controlled actin filament availability is critical for a successful cytokinesis in response to a switch to a respiratory carbohydrate metabolism.

Counting actin in contractile rings reveals novel contributions of cofilin and type II myosins to fission yeast cytokinesis

Cytokinesis by animals, fungi, and amoebas depends on actomyosin contractile rings, which are stabilized by continuous turnover of actin filaments. Remarkably little is known about the amount of polymerized actin in contractile rings, so we used low concentrations of GFP-Lifeact to count total polymerized actin molecules in the contractile rings of live fission yeast cells. Contractile rings of wild-type cells accumulated polymerized actin molecules at 4900/min to a peak number of ∼198,000 followed by a loss of actin at 5400/min throughout ring constriction. In adf1-M3 mutant cells with cofilin that severs actin filaments poorly, contractile rings accumulated polymerized actin at twice the normal rate and eventually had almost twofold more actin along with a proportional increase in type II myosins Myo2, Myp2, and formin Cdc12. Although 30% of adf1-M3 mutant cells failed to constrict their rings fully, the rest lost actin from the rings at the wild-type rates. Mutations of type II myosins Myo2 and Myp2 reduced contractile ring actin filaments by half and slowed the rate of actin loss from the rings.

Functions of the Plant Qbc SNARE SNAP25 in Cytokinesis and Biotic and Abiotic Stress Responses

Eukaryotes transport biomolecules between intracellular organelles and between cells and the environment via vesicle trafficking. Soluble N -ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptors (SNARE proteins) play pivotal roles in vesicle and membrane trafficking. These proteins are categorized as Qa, Qb, Qc, and R SNAREs and form a complex that induces vesicle fusion for targeting of vesicle cargos. As the core components of the SNARE complex, the SNAP25 Qbc SNAREs perform various functions related to cellular homeostasis. The Arabidopsis thaliana SNAP25 homolog AtSNAP33 interacts with Qa and R SNAREs and plays a key role in cytokinesis and in triggering innate immune responses. However, other Arabidopsis SNAP25 homologs, such as AtSNAP29 and AtSNAP30, are not well studied; this includes their localization, interactions, structures, and functions. Here, we discuss three biological functions of plant SNAP25 orthologs in the context of AtSNAP33 and highlight recent findings on SNAP25 orthologs in various plants. We propose future directions for determining the roles of the less well-characterized AtSNAP29 and AtSNAP30 proteins.

Modest Static Pressure Suppresses Columnar Epithelial Cell Growth in Association with Cell Shape and Cytoskeletal Modifications

Intraluminal pressure elevation can cause degenerative disorders, such as ileus and hydronephrosis, and the threshold is fairly low and constant, 20–30 cm H₂O. We previously devised a novel two-chamber culture system subjecting cells cultured on a semipermeable membrane to increased culture medium height (water pressure up to 60 cm H₂O). Here, we sought to determine how a continuous pressure load of ~30 cm H₂O affects proliferating epithelial cells with special interest in the link with cell morphology. We cultured several different cell lines using the low static pressure-loadable two-chamber system, and examined cell growth, cell cycle, and cell morphology. Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) columnar epithelial cells were growth-suppressed in a manner dependent on static water pressure ranging from 2 to 50 cm H₂O, without cell cycle arrest at any specific phase. Two other types of columnar epithelial cells exhibited similar phenotypes. By contrast, spherical epithelial and mesenchymal cells were not growth-suppressed, even at 50 cm H₂O. Phalloidin staining revealed that 50 cm H₂O pressure load vertically flattened and laterally widened columnar epithelial cells and made actin fiber distribution sparse, without affecting total phalloidin intensity per cell. When the mucosal protectant irsogladine maleate (100 nM) was added to 50-cm-high culture medium, MDCK cells were reduced in volume and their doubling time shortened. Cell proliferation and morphology are known to be regulated by the Hippo signaling pathway. A pressure load of 50 cm H₂O enhanced serine-127 phosphorylation and cytoplasmic retention of YAP, the major constituent of this pathway, suggesting that Hippo pathway was involved in the pressure-induced cell growth suppression. RNA sequencing of MDCK cells showed that a 50 cm H₂O pressure load upregulated keratin 14, an intermediate filament, 12-fold. This upregulation was confirmed at the protein level by immunofluorescence, suggesting a role in cytoskeletal reinforcement. These results provide evidence that cell morphology and the cytoskeleton are closely linked to cell growth. Pathological intraluminal pressure elevation may cause mucosal degeneration by acting directly on this linkage and the Hippo pathway.

Modeling the Mechanics of Cell Division: Influence of Spontaneous Membrane Curvature, Surface Tension, and Osmotic Pressure

Many cell division processes have been conserved throughout evolution and are being revealed by studies on model organisms such as bacteria, yeasts, and protozoa. Cellular membrane constriction is one of these processes, observed almost universally during cell division. It happens similarly in all organisms through a mechanical pathway synchronized with the sequence of cytokinetic events in the cell interior. Arguably, such a mechanical process is mastered by the coordinated action of a constriction machinery fueled by biochemical energy in conjunction with the passive mechanics of the cellular membrane. Independently of the details of the constriction engine, the membrane component responds against deformation by minimizing the elastic energy at every constriction state following a pathway still unknown. In this paper, we address a theoretical study of the mechanics of membrane constriction in a simplified model that describes a homogeneous membrane vesicle in the regime where mechanical work due to osmotic pressure, surface tension, and bending energy are comparable. We develop a general method to find approximate analytical expressions for the main descriptors of a symmetrically constricted vesicle. Analytical solutions are obtained by combining a perturbative expansion for small deformations with a variational approach that was previously demonstrated valid at the reference state of an initially spherical vesicle at isotonic conditions. The analytic approximate results are compared with the exact solution obtained from numerical computations, getting a good agreement for all the computed quantities (energy, area, volume, constriction force). We analyze the effects of the spontaneous curvature, the surface tension and the osmotic pressure in these quantities, focusing especially on the constriction force. The more favorable conditions for vesicle constriction are determined, obtaining that smaller constriction forces are required for positive spontaneous curvatures, low or negative membrane tension and hypertonic media. Conditions for spontaneous constriction at a given constriction force are also determined. The implications of these results for biological cell division are discussed. This work contributes to a better quantitative understanding of the mechanical pathway of cellular division, and could assist the design of artificial divisomes in vesicle-based self-actuated microsystems obtained from synthetic biology approaches.

Proteomic Analysis of Fetal Ovaries Reveals That Primordial Follicle Formation and Transition Are Differentially Regulated

Primordial follicle formation represents a critical phase of the initiation of embryonic reproductive organ development, while the primordial follicle transition into primary follicle determines whether oestrus or ovulation will occur in female animals. To identify molecular mechanism of new proteins which are involved in ovarian development, we employed 2D-DIGE to compare the protein expression profiles of primordial follicles and primary follicles of fetal ovaries in pigs. Fetal ovaries were collected at distinct time-points of the gestation cycle (g55 and g90). The identified proteins at the g55 time-point are mainly involved in the development of anatomical structures [reticulocalbin-1 (RCN1), reticulocalbin-3 (RCN3)], cell differentiation (actin), and stress response [heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (HNRNPK)]. Meanwhile, at the g90 stage, the isolated proteins with altered expression levels were mainly associated with cell proliferation [major vault protein (MVP)] and stress response [heat shock-related 70 kDa protein 2 (HSPA2)]. In conclusion, our work revealed that primordial follicle formation is regulated by RCN1, RCN3, actin, and HNRNPK, while the primordial follicle transformation to primary follicle is regulated by MVP and HSPA2. Therefore, our results provide further information for the prospective understanding of the molecular mechanism(s) involved in the regulation of the ovarian follicle development.

Assembly and positioning of actomyosin rings by contractility and planar cell polarity

The actomyosin cytoskeleton is a primary force-generating mechanism in morphogenesis, thus a robust spatial control of cytoskeletal positioning is essential. In this report, we demonstrate that actomyosin contractility and planar cell polarity (PCP) interact in post-mitotic Ciona notochord cells to self-assemble and reposition actomyosin rings, which play an essential role for cell elongation. Intriguingly, rings always form at the cells' anterior edge before migrating towards the center as contractility increases, reflecting a novel dynamical property of the cortex. Our drug and genetic manipulations uncover a tug-of-war between contractility, which localizes cortical flows toward the equator and PCP, which tries to reposition them. We develop a simple model of the physical forces underlying this tug-of-war, which quantitatively reproduces our results. We thus propose a quantitative framework for dissecting the relative contribution of contractility and PCP to the self-assembly and repositioning of cytoskeletal structures, which should be applicable to other morphogenetic events.

F-actin localization dynamics during appressorium formation in Colletotrichum graminicola

Appressoria are essential penetration structures for many phytopathogenic fungi. Here F-actin localization dynamics were documented during appressorium formation in vitro and in planta in Colletotrichum graminicola Four discernible stages of dynamic F-actin distribution occurring in a programmed order were documented from differentiation of appressoria to formation of penetration pores: (stage A) from germ tube enlargement to complete expansion of the appressorium; (stage S) septation occurs; (stage L) a long period of low F-actin activity; (stage P) the penetration pore forms. The F-actin subcellular localization corresponded to each stage. A distinct redistribution of actin cables occurred at the transition from stage A to stage S. The in planta assays revealed that F-actin also assembled in invasive hyphae and that actin cables might play an essential role for penetration-peg development. The F-actin localization distribution may be used as a subcellular marker to define the developmental stages during appressorium formation.

Constriction model of actomyosin ring for cytokinesis by fission yeast using a two-state sliding filament mechanism

We developed a model describing the structure and contractile mechanism of the actomyosin ring in fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The proposed ring includes actin, myosin, and α-actinin, and is organized into a structure similar to that of muscle sarcomeres. This structure justifies the use of the sliding-filament mechanism developed by Huxley and Hill, but it is probably less organized relative to that of muscle sarcomeres. Ring contraction tension was generated via the same fundamental mechanism used to generate muscle tension, but some physicochemical parameters were adjusted to be consistent with the proposed ring structure. Simulations allowed an estimate of ring constriction tension that reproduced the observed ring constriction velocity using a physiologically possible, self-consistent set of parameters. Proposed molecular-level properties responsible for the thousand-fold slower constriction velocity of the ring relative to that of muscle sarcomeres include fewer myosin molecules involved, a less organized contractile configuration, a low α-actinin concentration, and a high resistance membrane tension. Ring constriction velocity is demonstrated as an exponential function of time despite a near linear appearance. We proposed a hypothesis to explain why excess myosin heads inhibit constriction velocity rather than enhance it. The model revealed how myosin concentration and elastic resistance tension are balanced during cytokinesis in S. pombe.

The value of mechanistic biophysical information for systems-level understanding of complex biological processes such as cytokinesis

This review illustrates the value of quantitative information including concentrations, kinetic constants and equilibrium constants in modeling and simulating complex biological processes. Although much has been learned about some biological systems without these parameter values, they greatly strengthen mechanistic accounts of dynamical systems. The analysis of muscle contraction is a classic example of the value of combining an inventory of the molecules, atomic structures of the molecules, kinetic constants for the reactions, reconstitutions with purified proteins and theoretical modeling to account for the contraction of whole muscles. A similar strategy is now being used to understand the mechanism of cytokinesis using fission yeast as a favorable model system.

Capping protein regulators fine-tune actin assembly dynamics

Capping protein (CP) binds the fast growing barbed end of the actin filament and regulates actin assembly by blocking the addition and loss of actin subunits. Recent studies provide new insights into how CP and barbed-end capping are regulated. Filament elongation factors, such as formins and ENA/VASP (enabled/vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein), indirectly regulate CP by competing with CP for binding to the barbed end, whereas other molecules, including V-1 and phospholipids, directly bind to CP and sterically block its interaction with the filament. In addition, a diverse and unrelated group of proteins interact with CP through a conserved 'capping protein interaction' (CPI) motif. These proteins, including CARMIL (capping protein, ARP2/3 and myosin I linker), CD2AP (CD2-associated protein) and the WASH (WASP and SCAR homologue) complex subunit FAM21, recruit CP to specific subcellular locations and modulate its actin-capping activity via allosteric effects.

An equatorial contractile mechanism drives cell elongation but not cell division

A cytokinesis-like contractile mechanism is co-opted in a different developmental scenario to achieve cell elongation instead of cell division in Ciona intestinalis.

Cell shape changes and proliferation are two fundamental strategies for morphogenesis in animal development. During embryogenesis of the simple chordate Ciona intestinalis, elongation of individual notochord cells constitutes a crucial stage of notochord growth, which contributes to the establishment of the larval body plan. The mechanism of cell elongation is elusive. Here we show that although notochord cells do not divide, they use a cytokinesis-like actomyosin mechanism to drive cell elongation. The actomyosin network forming at the equator of each notochord cell includes phosphorylated myosin regulatory light chain, α-actinin, cofilin, tropomyosin, and talin. We demonstrate that cofilin and α-actinin are two crucial components for cell elongation. Cortical flow contributes to the assembly of the actomyosin ring. Similar to cytokinetic cells, membrane blebs that cause local contractions form at the basal cortex next to the equator and participate in force generation. We present a model in which the cooperation of equatorial actomyosin ring-based constriction and bleb-associated contractions at the basal cortex promotes cell elongation. Our results demonstrate that a cytokinesis-like contractile mechanism is co-opted in a completely different developmental scenario to achieve cell shape change instead of cell division. We discuss the occurrences of actomyosin rings aside from cell division, suggesting that circumferential contraction is an evolutionally conserved mechanism to drive cell or tissue elongation.

The actomyosin cytoskeleton is the primary force that drives cell shape changes. These fibers are organized in elaborate structures that form sarcomeres in the muscle and the contractile ring during cytokinesis. In cytokinesis, the establishment of an equatorial actomyosin ring is preceded and regulated by many cell cycle events, and the ring itself is a complex and dynamic structure. Here we report the presence of an equatorial circumferential actomyosin structure with remarkable similarities to the cytokinetic ring formed in postmitotic notochord cells of sea squirt Ciona intestinalis. The notochord is a transient rod-like structure found in all embryos that belong to the phylum Chordata, and in Ciona, a simple chordate, it consists of only 40 cylindrical cells arranged in a single file, which elongate individually during development. Our study shows that the activity of the equatorial actomyosin ring is required for the elongation of the notochord cells. We also find that cortical flow contributes significantly to the formation of the ring at the equator. Similar to cytokinetic cells, we observe the formation of membrane blebs outside the equatorial region. Our analyses suggest that cooperation of actomyosin ring-based circumferential constriction and bleb-associated contractions drive cell elongation in Ciona. We conclude that cells can utilize a cytokinesis-like force generation mechanism to promote cell shape change instead of cell division.

ALKBH4-dependent demethylation of actin regulates actomyosin dynamics

Regulation of actomyosin dynamics by post-transcriptional modifications in cytoplasmic actin is still poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that dioxygenase ALKBH4-mediated demethylation of a monomethylated site in actin (K84me1) regulates actin–myosin interaction and actomyosin-dependent processes such as cytokinesis and cell migration. ALKBH4-deficient cells display elevated K84me1 levels. Non-muscle myosin II only interacts with unmethylated actin and its proper recruitment to and interaction with actin depend on ALKBH4. ALKBH4 co-localizes with the actomyosin-based contractile ring and midbody via association with methylated actin. ALKBH4-mediated regulation of actomyosin dynamics is completely dependent on its catalytic activity. Disorganization of cleavage furrow components and multinucleation associated with ALKBH4 deficiency can all be restored by reconstitution with wild-type but not catalytically inactive ALKBH4. Similar to actin and myosin knock-out mice, homozygous Alkbh4 mutant mice display early embryonic lethality. These findings imply that ALKBH4-dependent actin demethylation regulates actomyosin function by promoting actin-non-muscle myosin II interaction.

The division of a single eukaryotic cell into two requires actomyosin-dependent contraction. Here the authors show that lysine methylation of actin inhibits contractility during cytokinesis by blocking its association with myosin, and this modification is reversed at the contractile ring by the demethylase ALKBH4.

The formins Cdc12 and For3 cooperate during contractile ring assembly in cytokinesis

Both de novo-assembled actin filaments at the division site and existing filaments recruited by directional cortical transport contribute to contractile ring formation during cytokinesis. However, it is unknown which source is more important. Here, we show that fission yeast formin For3 is responsible for node condensation into clumps in the absence of formin Cdc12. For3 localization at the division site depended on the F-BAR protein Cdc15, and for3 deletion was synthetic lethal with mutations that cause defects in contractile ring formation. For3 became essential in cells expressing N-terminal truncations of Cdc12, which were more active in actin assembly but depended on actin filaments for localization to the division site. In tetrad fluorescence microscopy, double mutants of for3 deletion and cdc12 truncations were severely defective in contractile ring assembly and constriction, although cortical transport of actin filaments was normal. Together, these data indicate that different formins cooperate in cytokinesis and that de novo actin assembly at the division site is predominant for contractile ring formation.

Mechanics of constriction during cell division: a variational approach

During symmetric division cells undergo large constriction deformations at a stable midcell site. Using a variational approach, we investigate the mechanical route for symmetric constriction by computing the bending energy of deformed vesicles with rotational symmetry. Forces required for constriction are explicitly computed at constant area and constant volume, and their values are found to be determined by cell size and bending modulus. For cell-sized vesicles, considering typical bending modulus of [Formula: see text], we calculate constriction forces in the range [Formula: see text]. The instability of symmetrical constriction is shown and quantified with a characteristic coefficient of the order of [Formula: see text], thus evidencing that cells need a robust mechanism to stabilize constriction at midcell.

Common mechanisms regulating cell cortex properties during cell division and cell migration

Single cell morphogenesis results from a balance of forces involving internal pressure (also called turgor pressure in plants and fungi) and the plastic and dynamic outer shell of the cell. Dominated by the cell wall in plants and fungi, mechanical properties of the outer shell of animal cells arise from the cell cortex, which is mostly composed of the plasma membrane (and membrane proteins) and the underlying meshwork of actin filaments and myosin motors (and associated proteins). In this review, following Bray and White [1988; Science 239:883-889], we draw a parallel between the regulation of the cell cortex during cell division and cell migration in animal cells. Starting from the similarities in shape changes and underlying mechanical properties, we further propose that the analogy between cell division and cell migration might run deeper, down to the basic molecular mechanisms driving cell cortex remodeling. We focus our attention on how an heterogeneous and dynamic cortex can be generated to allow cell shape changes while preserving cell integrity.

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.

Calcium sensitivity of α-actinin is required for equatorial actin assembly during cytokinesis

The actin cross-linking protein, α-actinin, plays a crucial role in mediating furrow ingression during cytokinesis. However, the mechanism by which its dynamics are regulated during this process is poorly understood. Here we have investigated the role of calcium sensitivity of α-actinin in the regulation of its dynamics by generating a functional calcium-insensitive mutant (EFM). GFP-tagged EFM (EFM-GFP) localized to the equatorial regions during cell division. However, the maximal equatorial accumulation of EFM-GFP was significantly smaller in comparison to α-actinin-GFP when it was expressed in normal cells and cells depleted of endogenous α-actinin. No apparent defects in cytokinesis were observed in these cells. However, F-actin levels at the equator were significantly reduced in cells expressing EFM-GFP as compared with α-actinin-GFP at furrow initiation but were recovered during furrow ingression. These results suggest that calcium sensitivity of α-actinin is required for its equatorial accumulation that is crucial for the initial equatorial actin assembly but is dispensable for cytokinesis. Equatorial RhoA localization was not affected by EFM-GFP overexpression, suggesting that equatorial actin assembly is predominantly driven by the RhoA-dependent mechanism. Our observations shed new light on the role and regulation of the accumulation of pre-existing actin filaments in equatorial actin assembly during cytokinesis.

Cytoskeleton organization during the cell cycle in two stramenopile microalgae, Ochromonas danica (Chrysophyceae) and Heterosigma akashiwo (Raphidophyceae), with special reference to F-actin organization and its role in cytokinesis

F-actin organization during the cell cycle was investigated in two stramenopile microalgae, Ochromonas danica (Chrysophyceae; UTEX LB1298) and Heterosigma akashiwo (Raphidophyceae; NIES-6) using FITC-phalloidin. In the interphase cell of O. danica, F-actin bundles were localized forming a network structure in the cortical region, which converged from the anterior region to the posterior, whereas in the interphase cell of H. akashiwo, F-actin bundles were observed forming a network structure in the cortical region without any polarity. In both O. danica and H. akashiwo, at the initial stage of mitosis the cortical F-actin disappeared, and then during cytokinesis assembly of an actin-based ring-like structure occurred in the cell cortex in the plane of cytokinesis. The ring-like structure initiated from aster-like structures was composed of F-actin in both O. danica and H. akashiwo. Different from animal cells, later stages of cytokinesis of O. danica seemed to be promoted by microtubules, although the early stages of cytokinesis progressed with a constriction of the ring-like structure, whereas cytokinesis of H. akashiwo was apparently completed by constriction of the cell mediated by the F-actin ring, as in animal cells.

CORTICAL F-ACTIN REORGANIZATION AND A CONTRACTILE RING-LIKE STRUCTURE FOUND DURING THE CELL CYCLE IN THE RED CRYPTOMONAD, PYRENOMONAS HELGOLANDII(1)

Cortical F-actin reorganization during the cell cycle was observed in Pyrenomonas helgolandii U. J. Santore (SAG 28.87) for the first time in Cryptophyta using fluorescein-isothiocyanate (FITC)-phalloidin staining. In interphase, a number of F-actin bundles were observed as straight lines running parallel to the long axis of the cell on the cell cortical region. They extended from an F-actin bundle that runs along the margin of the vestibulum. Although the F-actin bundles running parallel to the long axis of the cell disappeared during anaphase, they gradually reappeared in telophase. By contrast, the F-actin bundle along the vestibulum margin remained visible during cytokinesis and dynamically changed following the enlargement of the vestibulum, suggesting that F-actin was involved in the mechanism of vestibulum enlargement. F-actins were not found in the cytoplasmic and nucleoplasmic regions throughout the cell cycle. In addition, a contractile ring-like structure appeared at the cleavage furrow during cytokinesis. Treatment with cytochalasin B and latrunculin B significantly inhibited the formation of cleavage furrow, resulting in forming an abnormal cell with two nuclei, suggesting that cytokinesis in P. helgolandii is controlled by the contractile ring-like structure constituted of F-actin.

Enhancement of myosin II/actin turnover at the contractile ring induces slower furrowing in dividing HeLa cells

Myosin II ATPase activity is enhanced by the phosphorylation of MRLC (myosin II regulatory light chain) in non-muscle cells. It is well known that pMRLC (phosphorylated MRLC) co-localizes with F-actin (filamentous actin) in the CR (contractile ring) of dividing cells. Recently, we reported that HeLa cells expressing non-phosphorylatable MRLC show a delay in the speed of furrow ingression, suggesting that pMRLC plays an important role in the control of furrow ingression. However, it is still unclear how pMRLC regulates myosin II and F-actin at the CR to control furrow ingression during cytokinesis. In the present study, to clarify the roles of pMRLC, we measured the turnover of myosin II and actin at the CR in dividing HeLa cells expressing fluorescent-tagged MRLCs and actin by FRAP (fluorescence recovery after photobleaching). A myosin II inhibitor, blebbistatin, caused an enhancement of the turnover of MRLC and actin at the CR, which induced a delay in furrow ingression. Furthermore, only non-phosphorylatable MRLC and a Rho-kinase inhibitor, Y-27632, accelerated the turnover of MRLC and actin at the CR. Interestingly, the effect of Y-27632 was cancelled in the cell expressing phosphomimic MRLCs. Taken together, these results reveal that pMRLC reduces the turnover of myosin II and also actin at the CR. In conclusion, we show that the enhancement of myosin II and actin turnover at the CR induced slower furrowing in dividing HeLa cells.

Mechanics and regulation of cell shape during the cell cycle

Many cell types undergo dramatic changes in shape throughout the cell cycle. For individual cells, a tight control of cell shape is crucial during cell division, but also in interphase, for example during cell migration. Moreover, cell cycle-related cell shape changes have been shown to be important for tissue morphogenesis in a number of developmental contexts. Cell shape is the physical result of cellular mechanical properties and of the forces exerted on the cell. An understanding of the causes and repercussions of cell shape changes thus requires knowledge of both the molecular regulation of cellular mechanics and how specific changes in cell mechanics in turn effect global shape changes. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the current knowledge on the control of cell morphology, both in terms of general cell mechanics and specifically during the cell cycle.

Carbon nanotubes reorganize actin structures in cells and ex vivo

The ability of globular actin to form filaments and higher-order network structures of the cytoskeleton is essential for cells to maintain their shape and perform essential functions such as force generation, motility, and division. Alterations of actin structures can dramatically change a cell's ability to function. We found that purified and dispersed single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) can induce actin bundling in cells and in purified model actin systems. SWCNTs do not induce acute cell death, but cell proliferation is greatly reduced in SWCNT-treated cells with an increase in actin-related division defects. Actin, normally present in basal stress fibers in control cells, is located in heterogeneous structures throughout the SWCNT-treated cell. These SWCNT-induced changes in actin structures are seen functionally in multinucleated cells and with reduced force generation. Ex vivo, purified actin filaments cross-linked with alpha-actinin and formed isotropic networks, whereas SWCNTs caused purified actin filaments to assemble into bundles. While purified, isolated SWCNTs do not appear acutely toxic, this subcellular reorganization may cause chronic changes to cellular functions.

Understanding cytokinesis failure

Cytokinesis is the final step in cell division. The process begins during chromosome segregation, when the ingressing cleavage furrow begins to partition the cytoplasm between the nascent daughter cells. The process is not completed until much later, however, when the final cytoplasmic bridge connecting the two daughter cells is severed. Cytokinesis is a highly ordered process, requiring an intricate interplay between cytoskeletal, chromosomal and cell cycle regulatory pathways. A surprisingly broad range of additional cellular processes are also important for cytokinesis, including protein and membrane trafficking, lipid metabolism, protein synthesis and signaling pathways. As a highly regulated, complex process, it is not surprising that cytokinesis can sometimes fail. Cytokinesis failure leads to both centrosome amplification and production of tetraploid cells, which may set the stage for the development of tumor cells. However, tetraploid cells are abundant components of some normal tissues including liver and heart, indicating that cytokinesis is physiologically regulated. In this chapter, we summarize our current understanding of the mechanisms of cytokinesis, emphasizing steps in the pathway that may be regulated or prone to failure. Our discussion emphasizes findings in vertebrate cells although we have attempted to highlight important contributions from other model systems.

Redistribution of actin during assembly and reassembly of the contractile ring in grasshopper spermatocytes

Cytokinesis in animal cells requires the assembly of an actomyosin contractile ring to cleave the cell. The ring is highly dynamic; it assembles and disassembles during each cell cleavage, resulting in the recurrent redistribution of actin. To investigate this process in grasshopper spermatocytes, we mechanically manipulated the spindle to induce actin redistribution into ectopic contractile rings, around reassembled lateral spindles. To enhance visualization of actin, we folded the spindle at its equator to convert the remnants of the partially assembled ring into a concentrated source of actin. Filaments from the disintegrating ring aligned along reorganizing spindle microtubules, suggesting that their incorporation into the new ring was mediated by microtubules. We tracked incorporation by speckling actin filaments with Qdots and/or labeling them with Alexa 488-phalloidin. The pattern of movement implied that actin was transported along spindle microtubules, before entering the ring. By double-labeling dividing cells, we imaged actin filaments moving along microtubules near the contractile ring. Together, our findings indicate that in one mechanism of actin redistribution, actin filaments are transported along spindle microtubule tracks in a plus-end–directed fashion. After reaching the spindle midzone, the filaments could be transported laterally to the ring. Notably, actin filaments undergo a dramatic trajectory change as they enter the ring, implying the existence of a pulling force. Two other mechanisms of actin redistribution, cortical flow and de novo assembly, are also present in grasshopper, suggesting that actin converges at the nascent contractile ring from diffuse sources within the cytoplasm and cortex, mediated by spindle microtubules.

Profilin 1 is required for abscission during late cytokinesis of chondrocytes

Profilins are key factors for dynamic rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton. However, the functions of profilins in differentiated mammalian cells are uncertain because profilin deficiency is early embryonic lethal for higher eukaryotes. To examine profilin function in chondrocytes, we disrupted the profilin 1 gene in cartilage (Col2pfn1). Homozygous Col2pfn1 mice develop progressive chondrodysplasia caused by disorganization of the growth plate and defective chondrocyte cytokinesis, indicated by the appearance of binucleated cells. Surprisingly, Col2pfn1 chondrocytes assemble and contract actomyosin rings normally during cell division; however, they display defects during late cytokinesis as they frequently fail to complete abscission due to their inability to develop strong traction forces. This reduced force generation results from an impaired formation of lamellipodia, focal adhesions and stress fibres, which in part could be linked to an impaired mDia1-mediated actin filament elongation. Neither an actin nor a poly-proline binding-deficient profilin 1 is able to rescue the defects. Taken together, our results demonstrate that profilin 1 is not required for actomyosin ring formation in dividing chondrocytes but necessary to generate sufficient force for abscission during late cytokinesis.

Nuf, a Rab11 effector, maintains cytokinetic furrow integrity by promoting local actin polymerization

Plasma membrane ingression during cytokinesis involves both actin remodeling and vesicle-mediated membrane addition. Vesicle-based membrane delivery from the recycling endosome (RE) has an essential but ill-defined involvement in cytokinesis. In the Drosophila melanogaster early embryo, Nuf (Nuclear fallout), a Rab11 effector which is essential for RE function, is required for F-actin and membrane integrity during furrow ingression. We find that in nuf mutant embryos, an initial loss of F-actin at the furrow is followed by loss of the associated furrow membrane. Wild-type embryos treated with Latrunculin A or Rho inhibitor display similar defects. Drug- or Rho-GTP–induced increase of actin polymerization or genetically mediated decrease of actin depolymerization suppresses the nuf mutant F-actin and membrane defects. We also find that RhoGEF2 does not properly localize at the furrow in nuf mutant embryos and that RhoGEF2–Rho1 pathway components show strong specific genetic interactions with Nuf. We propose a model in which RE-derived vesicles promote furrow integrity by regulating the rate of actin polymerization through the RhoGEF2–Rho1 pathway.

Vesicles and actin are targeted to the cleavage furrow via furrow microtubules and the central spindle

During cytokinesis, cleavage furrow invagination requires an actomyosin-based contractile ring and addition of new membrane. Little is known about how this actin and membrane traffic to the cleavage furrow. We address this through live analysis of fluorescently tagged vesicles in postcellularized Drosophila melanogaster embryos. We find that during cytokinesis, F-actin and membrane are targeted as a unit to invaginating furrows through formation of F-actin–associated vesicles. F-actin puncta strongly colocalize with endosomal, but not Golgi-derived, vesicles. These vesicles are recruited to the cleavage furrow along the central spindle and a distinct population of microtubules (MTs) in contact with the leading furrow edge (furrow MTs). We find that Rho-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor mutants, pebble (pbl), severely disrupt this F-actin–associated vesicle transport. These transport defects are a consequence of the pbl mutants' inability to properly form furrow MTs and the central spindle. Transport of F-actin–associated vesicles on furrow MTs and the central spindle is thus an important mechanism by which actin and membrane are delivered to the cleavage furrow.

Dynamic rearrangement of surface proteins is essential for cytokinesis

Cytokinesis is a complex process that involves dynamic cortical rearrangement. Our recent time-lapse recordings of the mouse egg unexpectedly revealed a high motility of the second polar body (2pb). Experiments to address its underlying mechanism show that neither mechanical compression by the zona pellucida nor the connection via the mid-body is required for the 2pb movement. Time-lapse recordings establish that the 2pb moves together with the cell membrane. These recordings, in which cell surface proteins are labeled with fluorescent latex-microbeads or monovalent antibodies against whole mouse proteins, indicate that the majority of the surface proteins dynamically accumulate in the cleavage furrow at every cell division. Comparable dynamics of the cell surface proteins, and specifically of E-cadherin, are also observed in cultured epithelial cells. The surface protein dynamics are closely correlated with, and dependent on, those of the underlying cortical actin. The cortical actin network may form a scaffold for membrane proteins and thereby transfer them during contractile ring formation toward the cleavage furrow. Immobilization of surface proteins by tetravalent lectin-mediated crosslinking results in the failure of cleavage, demonstrating that the observed protein dynamics are essential for cytokinesis. We propose that dynamic rearrangement of the cell surface proteins is a common feature of cytokinesis, playing a key role in modifying the mechanical properties of the cell membrane during cortical ingression.

Entamoeba histolytica: Fibrilar aggregates in dividing trophozoites

Entamoeba histolytica trophozoite cytokinesis is dependent upon cytoskeletal elements such as filamentous actin and myosin. Here we present confocal and transmission electron microscopy studies of this process. A sequence in the formation of the contractile ring was shown with rhodamine-phalloidine staining. Ultrastructural analysis revealed the presence of fibrilar aggregates in the cytoplasm of dividing trophozoites. Among them two filaments of different diameter were identified. These aggregates presented repeating assemblies of thin and thick filaments that in cross section revealed a muscle-like appearance. Our results suggest that these aggregates constitute the contractile ring responsible for the separation of daughter cells.

Surviving the breakup: the DNA damage checkpoint

In response to even a single chromosomal double-strand DNA break, cells enact the DNA damage checkpoint. This checkpoint triggers cell cycle arrest, providing time for the cell to repair damaged chromosomes before entering mitosis. This mechanism helps prevent the segregation of damaged or mutated chromosomes and thus promotes genomic stability. Recent work has elucidated the molecular mechanisms underlying several critical steps in checkpoint activation, notably the recruitment of the upstream checkpoint kinases of the ATM and ATR families to different damaged DNA structures and the molecular events through which these kinases activate their effectors. Chromatin modification has emerged as one important component of checkpoint activation and maintenance. Following DNA repair, the checkpoint pathway is inactivated in a process termed recovery. A related but genetically distinct process, adaptation, controls cell cycle re-entry in the face of unrepairable damage.

Quantitative Analysis of Cortical Actin Filaments during Polar Body Formation in Starfish Oocytes

Polar body formation is an extremely unequal cell division. In order to understand the mechanism of polar body formation, morphological changes at the animal pole were investigated in living oocytes of the starfish, Asterina pectinifera, and the amounts of cortical actin filaments were quantitatively estimated after staining the maturing oocytes with fluorescently-labeled phallotoxins using a computer and image-processing software. Formation of a bulge, which is presumed to become a polar body, and the anaphase separation of chromosomes occurred simultaneously. When the bulge became large, one group of chromatids moved into the bulge. The dividing furrow then formed and finally a polar body formed. Just at the time of bulge formation, the intensity of the fluorescence produced by the actin filaments at the top of the animal pole began to decrease, and subsequently the intensity at the top fell to half of the original value. On the other hand, the fluorescence intensity at the base of the bulge increased gradually. This actin accumulation at the base created a dividing furrow around the top of the animal pole as the bulge grew. Even when the polar body formation was inhibited mechanically, a similar pattern of actin deficiency and accumulation in the cortex near the animal pole was observed. This indicates that such regulation of filamentous actin can take place without bulging. Therefore, polar body formation is initiated by the bulging of the cortex weakened by actin deficiency and followed by contraction of the base of the bulge reinforced by actin accumulation.

CSPP and CSPP-L associate with centrosomes and microtubules and differently affect microtubule organization

We recently described the identification of a centrosome/spindle pole associated protein, CSPP, involved in cell cycle progression. Here we report a CSPP isoform denoted CSPP-L, with a 294 amino acids longer N-terminus and a 51 amino acids insertion located in the coiled-coil mid-domain. Expression analysis indicates an inverse cell cycle dependent regulation. CSPP mRNA expression is highest in G1 whereas CSPP-L expression is highest in G2/M. Ectopic expression of CSPP-L impairs cell cycle progression weaker in G1 than CSPP. Furthermore, normal mitotic phenotypes were observed in CSPP-L but not in CSPP transfectants. CSPP-L relocates from spindle microtubules and poles in metaphase to the mid-spindle in anaphase and concentrates at the mid-body in telophase/cytokinesis. CSPP-L high-expressing mitotic cells were predominantly characterized by lagging chromosomes or monopolar spindles, in contrast to the predominant multipolar spindles observed with CSPP expression. The different effects of CSPP and CSPP-L on microtubule organization in mitosis depend on the coiled-coil mid-domain insertion. The common C-terminal domain is required to repress that activity until mitosis. Notably, this C-terminal domain alone can associate with centrosomes in a microtubule independent manner. Taken together, CSPP and CSPP-L interact with centrosomes and microtubules and can differently affect microtubule organization.

Animal cytokinesis: from parts list to mechanisms

The mechanism underlying cytokinesis, the final step in cell division, remains one of the major unsolved questions in basic cell biology. Thanks to advances in functional genomics and proteomics, we are now able to assemble a "parts list" of proteins involved in cytokinesis. In this review, we discuss how to relate this parts list to biological mechanism. For easier analysis, we split cytokinesis into discrete steps: cleavage plane specification, rearrangement of microtubule structures, contractile ring assembly, ring ingression, and completion. We report on the advances that have been made to understand these steps and how they can be integrated into a global understanding of cytokinesis. We also discuss the extent to which classic questions have been answered and identify major outstanding questions.

Influence of ovarian hyperstimulation and ovulation induction on the cytoskeletal dynamics and developmental competence of oocytes

This study was undertaken to determine the effects of gonadotrophin on cytoskeletal dynamics and embryo development and its role in improving the retrieval of developmentally competent oocytes. Female golden hamsters were injected with human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG; 5-, 7.5- or 15-IU) on the day 4 of estrus, pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (PMSG; 5-, 7.5- or 15-IU) on the day 1 of estrus, or 15-IU hCG at 56 hr post-15-IU PMSG injection in any cycle except estrus. Increasing the hCG dose decreased not only retrieval rate of 2-cell embryo but development to blastocyst after subsequent in vitro culture. Whereas, although increasing the PMSG dose induced increasing the number of 2-cell embryo and blastocyst, 15-IU PMSG injection caused retardation of development to blastocyst. No 2-cell embryos were retrieved by injecting both PMSG and hCG. The injections of 15-IU hCG and 7.5- or 15-IU PMSG inhibited the proliferation of trophectodermal and inner cell mass cells, respectively. Gonadotrophin injection didn't influence microtubular spindle formation, but 5- or 15-IU hCG, 15-IU PMSG, or PMSG and hCG injections induced aberrant cortical granule (CG) and microfilament distribution. After 15-IU hCG or PMSG and hCG injections, fewer oocytes had enriched cortical actin domains, and the expression of alpha-, beta- and gamma-actin genes was greatly increased. In conclusion, a high dose of gonadotrophins alters the microfilament and CG distribution, which in turn reduces the developmental competence of oocytes. Injecting a reduced dose of PMSG to initiate ovarian hyperstimulation without triggering ovulation contributes to the efficient retrieval of developmentally competent oocytes.

Scanning ion conductance microscopy reveals how a functional renal epithelial monolayer maintains its integrity

BACKGROUND

To function as a transport barrier a renal tubule epithelial monolayer needs to maintain its integrity when, sudden hypertonic stress causes cell shrinkage, new cells are added, or cells in the monolayer die. However, the mechanism used to achieve this is largely unknown. Scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) has been shown to be suitable for imaging the surface of live renal cells with high topographic resolution, and can be used to elucidate how a functional renal epithelial monolayer maintains its integrity.

METHODS

SICM was used for high spatial resolution topographic imaging of Xenopuslaevis renal epithelial A6 cells cultured on membrane filter inserts.

RESULTS

The SICM images of A6 cells showed that the epithelial monolayer maintains its integrity under hypertonic stress, and during cell division and death. Sequential SICM topographic images revealed detailed structural changes and their time course for these protective processes, which involve highly cooperative cell movement. Some "balloon-like" structures were observed at susceptible tight junction regions, which were proposed to help cell maintaining the monolayer permeability integrity.

CONCLUSION

SICM is a powerful tool for research on living renal epithelial cells, and has been used to elucidate how a functional epithelial monolayer maintains its integrity. Using this technique we have observed that during hypertonic stress and regeneration, an organized sequence of events protect the loss of integrity of monolayer so that tight junctions and cell-cell contact are maintained and disruption to the function of whole monolayer is prevented.

Cortical actin turnover during cytokinesis requires myosin II

The involvement of myosin II in cytokinesis has been demonstrated with microinjection, genetic, and pharmacological approaches; however, the exact role of myosin II in cell division remains poorly understood. To address this question, we treated dividing normal rat kidney (NRK) cells with blebbistatin, a potent inhibitor of the nonmuscle myosin II ATPase. Blebbistatin caused a strong inhibition of cytokinesis but no detectable effect on the equatorial localization of actin or myosin. However, whereas these filaments dissociated from the equator in control cells during late cytokinesis, they persisted in blebbistatin-treated cells over an extended period of time. The accumulation of equatorial actin was caused by the inhibition of actin filament turnover, as suggested by a 2-fold increase in recovery half-time after fluorescence photobleaching. Local release of blebbistatin at the equator caused localized accumulation of equatorial actin and inhibition of cytokinesis, consistent with the function of myosin II along the furrow. However, treatment of the polar region also caused a high frequency of abnormal cytokinesis, suggesting that myosin II may play a second, global role. Our observations indicate that myosin II ATPase is not required for the assembly of equatorial cortex during cytokinesis but is essential for its subsequent turnover and remodeling.

The stress and strain of cytokinesis

The ultimate goal of all signaling pathways in cytokinesis is to control the mechanical separation of the mother cell into two daughter cells. Because of the intrinsic mechanical nature of cytokinesis, it is essential to understand fully how cell shapes and the material properties of the cell are generated, how these shapes and material properties create force, and how motor proteins such as myosin-II modify the system to achieve successful cytokinesis. In this review (which is part of the Cytokinesis series), we discuss the relevant physical properties of cells, how these properties are measured and the basic models that are used to understand cell mechanics. Finally, we present our current understanding of how cytokinesis mechanics work.

Development of a hamster superovulation program and adverse effects of gonadotropins on microfilament formation during oocyte development

OBJECTIVE

To establish a superovulation procedure for the golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) by elucidating gonadotropin effects on oocyte development.

DESIGN

Randomized, prospective study.

SETTING

University laboratory of embryology and gamete biotechnology.

ANIMAL(S)

Twelve- to 15-week-old female and sexually mature male hamsters.

INTERVENTION(S)

Different doses of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) were injected into female hamsters in metestrus, diestrus, or proestrus. The same dose of hCG was injected 56 hours later.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Embryo development and oocyte morphology after treatment.

RESULT(S)

First, 10 IU or 15 IU each of PMSG and hCG was injected into 10 hamsters weighing <110 or 110-130 g, respectively. All hamsters were mated, but none delivered live young after injection. Second, the doses of 15 IU, 7.5 IU, 5 IU, or 0 IU of each gonadotropin were injected into each hamster (regardless of body weight, 5 per each group). Increasing numbers of embryos were retrieved as the dosage was increased (11.2 to 46.6 embryos per hamster), whereas the percentage of two-cell embryos at retrieval was significantly decreased (100% to 3%, P<.05). In subsequent culture, none developed to blastocysts after 15-IU injection, whereas 47%, 55%, and 70% of two-cell embryos developed after 7.5-IU, 5-IU, and 0-IU treatments, respectively. As a result, females injected with 5 IU yielded more blastocysts than did females without injection (67 vs. 39). The number of inner cell mass cells per blastocyst was greatly increased in the control groups compared with the 5-IU and 7.5-IU treatment groups (22 vs. 14.3-14.7 cells per blastocyst). Third, the ultrastructure of oocytes was examined after injecting 5 IU each of PMSG and hCG (regardless of body weight). Superovulation did not affect oocyte maturation, but different patterns in microfilament formation were detected after the treatment.

CONCLUSION(S)

Female hamsters can be superovulated effectively by injecting equal amounts of PMSG and hCG, 56 hours apart. However, embryo development was adversely affected in a dose-dependent manner at all doses of gonadotropins, and microfilament distribution was affected by such treatment.

Cytoplasmic Asters Are Required for Progression Past the First Cell Cycle in Cloned Mouse Embryos1

Unlike the oocytes of most other animal species, unfertilized murine oocytes contain cytoplasmic asters, which act as microtubule-organizing centers following fertilization. This study examined the role of asters during the first cell cycle of mouse nuclear transfer (NT) embryos. NT was performed by intracytoplasmic injection of cumulus cells. Cytoplasmic asters were localized by staining with an anti-alpha-tubulin antibody. Enucleation of MII oocytes caused no significant change in the number of cytoplasmic asters. The number of asters decreased after transfer of the donor nuclei into these enucleated oocytes, probably because some of the asters participated in the formation of the spindle that anchors the donor chromosomes. The cytoplasmic asters became undetectable within 2 h of oocyte activation, irrespective of the presence or absence of the donor chromosomes. After the standard NT protocol, a spindle-like structure persisted between the pseudopronuclei of these oocytes throughout the pronuclear stage. The asters reappeared shortly before the first mitosis and formed the mitotic spindle. When the donor nucleus was transferred into preactivated oocytes (delayed NT) that were devoid of free asters, the microtubules and microfilaments were distributed irregularly in the ooplasm and formed dense bundles within the cytoplasm. Thereafter, all of the delayed NT oocytes underwent fragmentation and arrested development. Treatment of these delayed NT oocytes with Taxol, which is a microtubule-assembling agent, resulted in the formation of several aster-like structures and reduced fragmentation. Some Taxol-treated oocytes completed the first cell cycle and developed further. This study demonstrates that cytoplasmic asters play a crucial role during the first cell cycle of murine NT embryos. Therefore, in mouse NT, the use of MII oocytes as recipients is essential, not only for chromatin reprogramming as previously reported, but also for normal cytoskeletal organization in reconstructed oocytes.

Continuous phosphatidylinositol metabolism is required for cleavage of crane fly spermatocytes

Successful cleavage of animal cells requires co-ordinated regulation of the actomyosin contractile ring and cleavage furrow ingression. Data from a variety of systems implicate phosphoinositol lipids and calcium release as potential regulators of this fundamental process. Here we examine the requirement for various steps of the phosphatidylinositol (PtdIns) cycle in dividing crane fly (Nephrotoma suturalis) spermatocytes. PtdIns cycle inhibitors were added to living cells after cleavage furrows formed and began to ingress. Inhibitors known to block PtdIns recycling (lithium), PtdIns phosphorylation (wortmannin, LY294002) or phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PtdIns(4,5)P2] hydrolysis [U73122 (U7)] all stopped or slowed furrowing. The effect of these drugs on cytokinesis was quite rapid (within 0-4 minutes), so continuous metabolism of PtdIns appears to be required for continued cleavage furrow ingression. U7 caused cleavage furrow regression concomitant with depletion of F-actin from the contractile ring, whereas the other inhibitors caused neither regression nor depletion of F-actin. That U7 depletes furrow-associated actin seems counterintuitive, as inhibition of phospholipase C would be expected to increase cellular levels of PtdIns(4,5)P2 and hence increase actin polymerization. Our confocal images suggest, however, that F-actin might accumulate at the poles of U7-treated cells, consistent with the idea that PtdIns(4,5)P2 hydrolysis may be required for actin filaments formed at the poles to participate in contractile ring assembly at the furrow.

Multiple Parallelisms in Animal Cytokinesis

The process of cytokinesis in animal cells is usually presented as a relatively simple picture: A cleavage plane is first positioned in the equatorial region by the astral microtubules of the anaphase mitotic apparatus, and a contractile ring made up of parallel filaments of actin and myosin II is formed and encircles the cortex at the division site. Active sliding between the two filament systems constricts the perimeter of the cortex, leading to separation of two daughter cells. However, recent studies in both animal cells and lower eukaryotic model organisms have demonstrated that cytokinesis is actually far more complex. It is now obvious that the three key processes of cytokinesis, cleavage plane determination, equatorial furrowing, and scission, are driven by different mechanisms in different types of cells. In some cases, moreover, multiple pathways appear to have redundant functions in a single cell type. In this review, we present a novel hypothesis that incorporates recent observations on the activities of mitotic microtubules and the biochemistry of Rho-type GTPase proteins and postulates that two different sets of microtubules are responsible for the two known mechanisms of cleavage plane determination and also for two distinct mechanisms of equatorial furrowing.

Myosins and cell dynamics in cellular slime molds

Myosin is a mechanochemical transducer and serves as a motor for various motile activities such as cell migration, cytokinesis, maintenance of cell shape, phagocytosis, and morphogenesis. Nonmuscle myosin in vivo does not either stay static at specific subcellular regions or construct highly organized structures, such as sarcomere in skeletal muscle cells. The cellular slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum is an ideal "model organism" for the investigation of cell movement and cytokinesis. The advantages of this organism prompted researchers to carry out pioneering cell biological, biochemical, and molecular genetic studies on myosin II, which resulted in elucidation of many fundamental features of function and regulation of this most abundant molecular motor. Furthermore, recent molecular biological research has revealed that many unconventional myosins play various functions in vivo. In this article, how myosins are organized and regulated in a dynamic manner in Dictyostelium cells is reviewed and discussed.

Cdc42-dependent actin polymerization during compensatory endocytosis in Xenopus eggs

The actin filament (F-actin) cytoskeleton associates dynamically with the plasma membrane and is thus ideally positioned to participate in endocytosis. Indeed, a wealth of genetic and biochemical evidence has confirmed that actin interacts with components of the endocytic machinery, although its precise function in endocytosis remains unclear. Here, we use 4D microscopy to visualize the contribution of actin during compensatory endocytosis in Xenopus laevis eggs. We show that the actin cytoskeleton maintains exocytosing cortical granules as discrete invaginated compartments, such that when actin is disrupted, they collapse into the plasma membrane. Invaginated, exocytosing cortical granule compartments are directly retrieved from the plasma membrane by F-actin coats that assemble on their surface. These dynamic F-actin coats seem to drive closure of the exocytic fusion pores and ultimately compress the cortical granule compartments. Active Cdc42 and N-WASP are recruited to exocytosing cortical granule membranes before F-actin coat assembly and coats assemble by Cdc42-dependent, de novo actin polymerization. Thus, F-actin may power fusion pore resealing and function in two novel endocytic capacities: the maintenance of invaginated compartments and the processing of endosomes.

Profilin Functions in Cytokinesis, Nuclear Positioning, and Stomatogenesis in Tetrahymena thermophila

Expression of the actin-binding protein profilin was disrupted in the ciliate Tetrahymena thermophila by an antisense ribosome method. In cells with the antisense disruption no profilin protein was detected. Cultures of cells with the antisense disruption could be maintained, indicating that profilin was not essential for cytokinesis or vegetative growth. Disruption of the expression of profilin resulted in many cells that were large and abnormally shaped. Formation of multiple micronuclei, which divide mitotically, was observed in cells with a single macronucleus, indicating a defect in early cytokinesis. Some cells with the antisense disruption contained multiple macronuclei, which in Tetrahymena may indicate a function late in cytokinesis. The lack of profilin also affected cytokinesis in the cells that could divide. Normal-sized and normal-shaped cells with the antisense disruption took significantly longer to divide than control cell types. The profilin disruption revealed two new processes in which profilin functions. In cells lacking profilin, micronuclei were not positioned at their normal site on the surface of the macronucleus and phagocytosis was defective. The defect in phagocytosis appeared to be due to disruption of the formation of oral apparatuses (stomatogenesis) and a possible failure in the internalization of phagocytic vacuoles.

Cellular control of actin nucleation

Eukaryotic cells use actin polymerization to change shape, move, and internalize extracellular materials by phagocytosis and endocytosis, and to form contractile structures. In addition, several pathogens have evolved to use host cell actin assembly for attachment, internalization, and cell-to-cell spread. Although cells possess multiple mechanisms for initiating actin polymerization, attention in the past five years has focused on the regulation of actin nucleation-the formation of new actin filaments from actin monomers. The Arp2/3 complex and the multiple nucleation-promoting factors (NPFs) that regulate its activity comprise the only known cellular actin-nucleating factors and may represent a universal machine, conserved across eukaryotic phyla, that nucleates new actin filaments for various cellular structures with numerous functions. This review focuses on our current understanding of the mechanism of actin nucleation by the Arp2/3 complex and NPFs and how these factors work with other cytoskeletal proteins to generate structurally and functionally diverse actin arrays in cells.

Cell division

In creating the mitotic spindle and the contractile ring, natural selection has engineered fascinating precision machines whose movements depend upon forces generated by ensembles of cytoskeletal proteins. These machines segregate chromosomes and divide the cell with high fidelity. Current research on the mechanisms and regulation of spindle morphogenesis, chromosome motility and cytokinesis emphasizes how ensembles of dynamic cytoskeletal polymers and multiple motors cooperate to generate the forces that guide the cell through mitosis and cytokinesis.

Developmentally regulated expression of calponin isoforms and the effect of h2-calponin on cell proliferation

h2-calponin is found in both smooth muscle and nonmuscle cells, and its function remains to be established. Western blots with specific monoclonal antibodies detected significant expression of h2-calponin in the growing embryonic stomach and urinary bladder and the early pregnant uterus. Although the expression of h1-calponin is upregulated in the stomach and bladder during postnatal development, the expression of h2-calponin is decreased to low levels in quiescent smooth muscle cells. To investigate a hypothesis that h2-calponin regulates the function of the actin cytoskeleton during cytokinesis, a smooth muscle-originated cell line (SM3) lacking calponin was transfected to express either sense or antisense h2-calponin cDNA and the effects on the rates of cell proliferation were examined. Both stable and transient sense cDNA-transfected cells had a significantly decreased proliferation rate compared with the antisense cDNA-transfected or nontransfected cells. Immunofluorescence microscopy showed that the force-expressed h2-calponin was associated with actin-tropomyosin microfilaments. The number of binuclear cells was significantly greater in the sense cDNA-transfected culture, in which h2-calponin was concentrated in a nuclear ring structure formed by actin filaments. The results suggest that h2-calponin may regulate cytokinesis by inhibiting the activity of the actin cytoskeleton.