The Cdc15 and Imp2 SH3 domains cooperatively scaffold a network of proteins that redundantly ensure efficient cell division in fission yeast

Azoles activate type I and type II programmed cell death pathways in crop pathogenic fungi

Triazoles are widely used to control pathogenic fungi. They inhibit the ergosterol biosynthetic pathway, but the precise mechanisms leading to fungicidal activities in many fungal pathogens are poorly understood. Here, we elucidate the mode of action of epoxiconazole and metconazole in the wheat pathogen Zymoseptoria tritici and the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. We show that both azoles have fungicidal activity and reduce fluidity, but not integrity, of the plasma membrane. This impairs localisation of Cdc15-like F-BAR proteins, resulting in defective actin ring assembly and incomplete septation. However, mutant studies and pharmacological experiments in vitro and in planta show that azole lethality is due to a combination of reactive oxygen species-induced apoptosis and macroautophagy. Simultaneous inhibition of both programmed cell death pathways abolishes azole-induced cell death. Other classes of ergosterol biosynthesis inhibitors also induce apoptosis and macroautophagy, suggesting that activation of these two cell death pathways is a hallmark of ergosterol synthesis-targeting fungicides. This knowledge will inform future crop protection strategies.

The fission yeast cytokinetic ring component Fic1 promotes septum formation

In Schizosaccharomyces pombe, septum formation is coordinated with cytokinetic ring constriction but the mechanisms linking these events are unclear. In this study, we explored the role of the cytokinetic ring component Fic1, first identified by its interaction with the F-BAR protein Cdc15, in septum formation. We found that the fic1 phospho-ablating mutant, fic1-2A, is a gain-of-function allele that suppresses myo2-E1, the temperature-sensitive allele of the essential type-II myosin, myo2. This suppression is achieved by the promotion of septum formation and required Fic1's interaction with the F-BAR proteins Cdc15 and Imp2. Additionally, we found that Fic1 interacts with Cyk3 and that this interaction was likewise required for Fic1's role in septum formation. Fic1, Cdc15, Imp2, and Cyk3 are the orthologs of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae ingression progression complex, which stimulates the chitin synthase Chs2 to promote primary septum formation. However, our findings indicate that Fic1 promotes septum formation and cell abscission independently of the S. pombe Chs2 ortholog. Thus, while similar complexes exist in the two yeasts that each promote septation, they appear to have different downstream effectors.

The fission yeast cytokinetic ring component Fic1 promotes septum formation

In Schizosaccharomyces pombe septum formation is coordinated with cytokinetic ring constriction but the mechanisms linking these events are unclear. In this study, we explored the role of the cytokinetic ring component Fic1, first identified by its interaction with the F-BAR protein Cdc15, in septum formation. We found that the fic1 phospho-ablating mutant, fic1-2A , is a gain-of-function allele that suppresses myo2-E1 , the temperature-sensitive allele of the essential type-II myosin, myo2 . This suppression is achieved by the promotion of septum formation and required Fic1's interaction with the F-BAR proteins Cdc15 and Imp2. Additionally, we found that Fic1 interacts with Cyk3 and that this interaction was likewise required for Fic1's role in septum formation. Fic1, Cdc15, Imp2, and Cyk3 are the orthologs of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae ingression progression complex, which stimulates the chitin synthase Chs2 to promote primary septum formation. However, our findings indicate that Fic1 promotes septum formation and cell abscission independently of the S. pombe Chs2 ortholog. Thus, while similar complexes exist in the two yeasts that each promote septation, they appear to have different downstream effectors.

Summary Statement

The S. pombe cytokinetic ring protein Fic1 promotes septum formation in a manner dependent on interactions with the cytokinetic ring components Cdc15, Imp2, and Cyk3.

Multiple polarity kinases inhibit phase separation of F-BAR protein Cdc15 and antagonize cytokinetic ring assembly in fission yeast

The F-BAR protein Cdc15 is essential for cytokinesis in Schizosaccharomyces pombe and plays a key role in attaching the cytokinetic ring (CR) to the plasma membrane (PM). Cdc15's abilities to bind to the membrane and oligomerize via its F-BAR domain are inhibited by phosphorylation of its intrinsically disordered region (IDR). Multiple cell polarity kinases regulate Cdc15 IDR phosphostate, and of these the DYRK kinase Pom1 phosphorylation sites on Cdc15 have been shown in vivo to prevent CR formation at cell tips. Here, we compared the ability of Pom1 to control Cdc15 phosphostate and cortical localization to that of other Cdc15 kinases: Kin1, Pck1, and Shk1. We identified distinct but overlapping cohorts of Cdc15 phosphorylation sites targeted by each kinase, and the number of sites correlated with each kinases' abilities to influence Cdc15 PM localization. Coarse-grained simulations predicted that cumulative IDR phosphorylation moves the IDRs of a dimer apart and toward the F-BAR tips. Further, simulations indicated that the overall negative charge of phosphorylation masks positively charged amino acids necessary for F-BAR oligomerization and membrane interaction. Finally, simulations suggested that dephosphorylated Cdc15 undergoes phase separation driven by IDR interactions. Indeed, dephosphorylated but not phosphorylated Cdc15 undergoes liquid-liquid phase separation to form droplets in vitro that recruit Cdc15 binding partners. In cells, Cdc15 phosphomutants also formed PM-bound condensates that recruit other CR components. Together, we propose that a threshold of Cdc15 phosphorylation by assorted kinases prevents Cdc15 condensation on the PM and antagonizes CR assembly.

Imp2p forms actin-dependent clusters and imparts stiffness to the contractile ring

The contractile ring must anchor to the plasma membrane and cell wall to transmit its tension. F-BAR domain containing proteins including Imp2p and Cdc15p in fission yeast are likely candidate anchoring proteins based on their mutant phenotypes. Cdc15p is a node component, links the actin bundle to the plasma membrane, recruits Bgs1p to the division plane, prevents contractile ring sliding, and contributes to the stiffness of the contractile ring. Less is known about Imp2p. We found that similarly to Cdc15p, Imp2p contributes to the stiffness of the contractile ring and assembles into protein clusters. Imp2p clusters contain approximately eight Imp2p dimers and depend on the actin network for their stability at the division plane. Importantly, Imp2p and Cdc15p reciprocally affect the amount of each other in the contractile ring, indicating that the two proteins influence each other during cytokinesis, which may partially explain their similar phenotypes.

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.

Fission yeast paxillin contains two Cdc15 binding motifs for robust recruitment to the cytokinetic ring

The F-BAR protein Cdc15 mediates attachment of the cytokinetic ring (CR) to the plasma membrane and is essential for cytokinesis in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. While its N-terminal F-BAR domain is responsible for oligomerization and membrane binding, its C-terminal SH3 domain binds other partners at a distance from the membrane. We previously demonstrated that the essential cytokinetic formin Cdc12, through an N-terminal motif, directly binds the cytosolic face of the F-BAR domain. Here, we show that paxillin-like Pxl1, which is important for CR stability, contains a motif highly related to that in formin Cdc12, and also binds the Cdc15 F-BAR domain directly. Interestingly, Pxl1 has a second site for binding the Cdc15 SH3 domain. To understand the importance of these two Pxl1-Cdc15 interactions, we mapped and disrupted both. Disrupting the Pxl1-Cdc15 F-BAR domain interaction reduced Pxl1 levels in the CR, whereas disrupting Pxl1’s interaction with the Cdc15 SH3 domain, did not. Unexpectedly, abolishing Pxl1-Cdc15 interaction greatly reduced but did not eliminate CR Pxl1 and did not significantly affect cytokinesis. These data point to another mechanism of Pxl1 CR recruitment and show that very little CR Pxl1 is sufficient for its cytokinetic function.

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.

Cdk1 phosphorylation of fission yeast paxillin inhibits its cytokinetic ring localization

Divisions of the genetic material and cytoplasm are coordinated spatially and temporally to ensure genome integrity. This coordination is mediated in part by the major cell cycle regulator cyclin-dependent kinase (Cdk1). Cdk1 activity peaks during mitosis, but during mitotic exit/cytokinesis Cdk1 activity is reduced, and phosphorylation of its substrates is reversed by various phosphatases including Cdc14, PP1, PP2A, and PP2B. Cdk1 is known to phosphorylate several components of the actin- and myosin-based cytokinetic ring (CR) that mediates division of yeast and animal cells. Here we show that Cdk1 also phosphorylates the Schizosaccharomyces pombe CR component paxillin Pxl1. We determined that both the Cdc14 phosphatase Clp1 and the PP1 phosphatase Dis2 contribute to Pxl1 dephosphorylation at mitotic exit, but PP2B/calcineurin does not. Preventing Pxl1 phosphorylation by Cdk1 results in increased Pxl1 levels, precocious Pxl1 recruitment to the division site, and increased duration of CR constriction. In vitro Cdk1-mediated phosphorylation of Pxl1 inhibits its interaction with the F-BAR domain of the cytokinetic scaffold Cdc15, thereby disrupting a major mechanism of Pxl1 recruitment. Thus, Pxl1 is a novel substrate through which S. pombe Cdk1 and opposing phosphatases coordinate mitosis and cytokinesis.

Phosphorylation in the intrinsically disordered region of F-BAR protein Imp2 regulates its contractile ring recruitment

The F-BAR protein Imp2 is an important contributor to cytokinesis in the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Because cell cycle regulated phosphorylation of the central intrinsically disordered region (IDR) of the Imp2 paralog, Cdc15, controls Cdc15 oligomerization state, localization, and ability to bind protein partners, we investigated whether Imp2 is similarly phosphoregulated. We found that Imp2 is endogenously phosphorylated on 28 sites within its IDR with the bulk of phosphorylation being constitutive. In vitro, casein kinase 1 (CK1) Hhp1 and Hhp2 can phosphorylate 17 sites and Cdk1 the remaining 11 sites. Mutations that prevent Cdk1 phosphorylation result in precocious Imp2 recruitment to the cell division site, and mutations designed to mimic these phosphorylation events delay Imp2 CR accumulation. Mutations that eliminated CK1 phosphorylation sites allowed CR sliding, and phosphomimetic substitutions at these sites reduced Imp2 protein levels and slowed CR constriction. Thus, like Cdc15, the Imp2 IDR is phosphorylated at many sites by multiple kinases. In contrast to Cdc15, for which phosphorylation plays a major cell cycle regulatory role, Imp2 phosphorylation is primarily constitutive with milder effects on localization and function.

The Multiple Functions of Rho GTPases in Fission Yeasts

The Rho family of GTPases represents highly conserved molecular switches involved in a plethora of physiological processes. Fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe has become a fundamental model organism to study the functions of Rho GTPases over the past few decades. In recent years, another fission yeast species, Schizosaccharomyces japonicus, has come into focus offering insight into evolutionary changes within the genus. Both fission yeasts contain only six Rho-type GTPases that are spatiotemporally controlled by multiple guanine-nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs), and whose intricate regulation in response to external cues is starting to be uncovered. In the present review, we will outline and discuss the current knowledge and recent advances on how the fission yeasts Rho family GTPases regulate essential physiological processes such as morphogenesis and polarity, cellular integrity, cytokinesis and cellular differentiation.

The state of F-BAR domains as membrane-bound oligomeric platforms

Fes/Cip4 homology Bin/amphiphysin/Rvs (F-BAR) domains, like all BAR domains, are dimeric units that oligomerize and bind membranes. F-BAR domains are generally coupled to additional domains that function in protein binding or have enzymatic activity. Because of their crescent shape and ability to oligomerize, F-BAR domains have been traditionally viewed as membrane-deformation modules. However, multiple independent studies have provided no evidence that certain F-BAR domains are able to tubulate membrane. Instead, a growing body of literature featuring structural, biochemical, biophysical, and microscopy-based studies supports the idea that the F-BAR domain family can be unified only by their ability to form oligomeric assemblies on membranes to provide platforms for molecular assembly.

Fission yeast Pak1 phosphorylates anillin-like Mid1 for spatial control of cytokinesis

Protein kinases direct polarized growth by regulating the cytoskeleton in time and space and could play similar roles in cell division. We found that the Cdc42-activated polarity kinase Pak1 colocalizes with the assembling contractile actomyosin ring (CAR) and remains at the division site during septation. Mutations in pak1 led to defects in CAR assembly and genetic interactions with cytokinesis mutants. Through a phosphoproteomic screen, we identified novel Pak1 substrates that function in polarized growth and cytokinesis. For cytokinesis, we found that Pak1 regulates the localization of its substrates Mid1 and Cdc15 to the CAR. Mechanistically, Pak1 phosphorylates the Mid1 N-terminus to promote its association with cortical nodes that act as CAR precursors. Defects in Pak1-Mid1 signaling lead to misplaced and defective division planes, but these phenotypes can be rescued by synthetic tethering of Mid1 to cortical nodes. Our work defines a new signaling mechanism driven by a cell polarity kinase that promotes CAR assembly in the correct time and place.

Time-varying mobility and turnover of actomyosin ring components during cytokinesis in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Cytokinesis in many eukaryotes is dependent on a contractile actomyosin ring (AMR), composed of F-actin, myosin II, and other actin and myosin II regulators. Through fluorescence recovery after photobleaching experiments, many components of the AMR have been shown to be mobile and to undergo constant exchange with the cytosolic pools. However, how the mobility of its components changes at distinct stages of mitosis and cytokinesis has not been addressed. Here, we describe the mobility of eight Schizosaccharomyces pombe AMR proteins at different stages of mitosis and cytokinesis using an approach we have developed. We identified three classes of proteins, which showed 1) high (Ain1, Myo2, Myo51), 2) low (Rng2, Mid1, Myp2, Cdc12), and 3) cell cycle-dependent (Cdc15) mobile fractions. We observed that the F-BAR protein Cdc15 undergoes a 20-30% reduction in its mobile fraction after spindle breakdown and initiation of AMR contraction. Moreover, our data indicate that this change in Cdc15 mobility is dependent on the septation initiation network (SIN). Our work offers a novel strategy for estimating cell cycle-dependent mobile protein fractions in cellular structures and provides a valuable dataset, that is of interest to researchers working on cytokinesis.

Opposite Surfaces of the Cdc15 F-BAR Domain Create a Membrane Platform That Coordinates Cytoskeletal and Signaling Components for Cytokinesis

Many eukaryotes assemble an actin- and myosin-based cytokinetic ring (CR) on the plasma membrane (PM) for cell division, but how it is anchored there remains unclear. In Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the F-BAR protein Cdc15 links the PM via its F-BAR domain to proteins in the CR’s interior via its SH3 domain. However, Cdc15’s F-BAR domain also directly binds formin Cdc12, suggesting that Cdc15 may polymerize a protein network directly adjacent to the membrane. Here, we determine that the F-BAR domain binds Cdc12 using residues on the face opposite its membrane-binding surface. These residues also bind paxillin-like Pxl1, promoting its recruitment with calcineurin to the CR. Mutation of these F-BAR domain residues results in a shallower CR, with components localizing ~35% closer to the PM than in wild type, and aberrant CR constriction. Thus, F-BAR domains serve as oligomeric membrane-bound platforms that can modulate the architecture of an entire actin structure.

Multiple F-BAR domains link actin structures to membrane. Snider et al. show that the flat Cdc15 F-BAR domain utilizes opposite surfaces to bind the plasma membrane and cytokinetic ring proteins simultaneously. Disrupting Cdc15 F-BAR domain’s interaction with proteins results in an overall compression of the entire cytokinetic ring architecture.

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.

Phosphoregulation of the cytokinetic protein Fic1 contributes to fission yeast growth polarity establishment

Cellular polarization underlies many facets of cell behavior, including cell growth. The rod-shaped fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe is a well-established, genetically tractable system for studying growth polarity regulation. S. pombe cells elongate at their two cell tips in a cell cycle-controlled manner, transitioning from monopolar to bipolar growth in interphase when new ends established by the most recent cell division begin to extend. We previously identified cytokinesis as a critical regulator of new end growth and demonstrated that Fic1, a cytokinetic factor, is required for normal polarized growth at new ends. Here, we report that Fic1 is phosphorylated on two C-terminal residues, which are each targeted by multiple protein kinases. Endogenously expressed Fic1 phosphomutants cannot support proper bipolar growth, and the resultant defects facilitate the switch into an invasive pseudohyphal state. Thus, phosphoregulation of Fic1 links the completion of cytokinesis to the re-establishment of polarized growth in the next cell cycle. These findings broaden the scope of signaling events that contribute to regulating S. pombe growth polarity, underscoring that cytokinetic factors constitute relevant targets of kinases affecting new end growth.This article has an associated First Person interview with Anthony M. Rossi, joint first author of the paper.

Cdc42 promotes Bgs1 recruitment for septum synthesis and glucanase localization for cell separation during cytokinesis in fission yeast

Cytokinesis in fission yeast involves actomyosin ring constriction concurrent to septum synthesis followed by septum digestion resulting in cell separation. A recent report indicates that endocytosis is required for septum synthesis and cell separation. The conserved GTPase Cdc42 is required for membrane trafficking and promotes endocytosis. Cdc42 is activated by Guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). Cdc42 GEFs have been shown to promote timely initiation of septum synthesis and proper septum morphology. Here we show that Cdc42 promotes the recruitment of the major primary septum synthesizing enzyme Bgs1 and consequent ring constriction. Cdc42 is also required for proper localization of the septum digesting glucanases at the division site. Thus, Cdc42 is required to promote multiple steps during cytokinesis.

DYRK kinase Pom1 drives F-BAR protein Cdc15 from the membrane to promote medial division

In many organisms, positive and negative signals cooperate to position the division site for cytokinesis. In the rod-shaped fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, symmetric division is achieved through anillin/Mid1-dependent positive cues released from the central nucleus and negative signals from the DYRK-family polarity kinase Pom1 at cell tips. Here we establish that Pom1's kinase activity prevents septation at cell tips even if Mid1 is absent or mislocalized. We also find that Pom1 phosphorylation of F-BAR protein Cdc15, a major scaffold of the division apparatus, disrupts Cdc15's ability to bind membranes and paxillin, Pxl1, thereby inhibiting Cdc15's function in cytokinesis. A Cdc15 mutant carrying phosphomimetic versions of Pom1 sites or deletion of Cdc15 binding partners suppresses division at cell tips in cells lacking both Mid1 and Pom1 signals. Thus, inhibition of Cdc15-scaffolded septum formation at cell poles is a key Pom1 mechanism that ensures medial division.

Paxillin-Mediated Recruitment of Calcineurin to the Contractile Ring Is Required for the Correct Progression of Cytokinesis in Fission Yeast

Paxillin is a scaffold protein that participates in focal adhesion signaling in mammalian cells. Fission yeast paxillin ortholog, Pxl1, is required for contractile actomyosin ring (CAR) integrity and collaborates with the β-glucan synthase Bgs1 in septum formation. We show here that Pxl1's main function is to recruit calcineurin (CN) phosphatase to the actomyosin ring; and thus the absence of either Pxl1 or calcineurin causes similar cytokinesis defects. In turn, CN participates in the dephosphorylation of the Cdc15 F-BAR protein, which recruits and concentrates Pxl1 at the CAR. Our findings suggest the existence of a positive feedback loop between Pxl1 and CN and establish that Pxl1 is a crucial component of the CN signaling pathway during cytokinesis.

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.

Coordinating septum formation and the actomyosin ring during cytokinesis in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

During cytokinesis, animal and fungal cells form a membrane furrow via actomyosin ring constriction. Our understanding of actomyosin ring-driven cytokinesis stems extensively from the fission yeast model system. However, unlike animal cells, actomyosin ring constriction occurs simultaneously with septum formation in fungi. While the formation of an actomyosin ring is essential for cytokinesis in fission yeast, proper furrow formation also requires septum deposition. The molecular mechanisms of spatiotemporal coordination of septum deposition with actomyosin ring constriction are poorly understood. Although the role of the actomyosin ring as a mechanical structure driving furrow formation is better understood, its role as a spatiotemporal landmark for septum deposition is not widely discussed. Here we review and discuss the recent advances describing how the actomyosin ring spatiotemporally regulates membrane traffic to promote septum-driven cytokinesis in fission yeast. Finally, we explore emerging questions in cytokinesis, and discuss the role of extracellular matrix during cytokinesis in other organisms.

SH3Ps-Evolution and Diversity of a Family of Proteins Engaged in Plant Cytokinesis

SH3P2 (At4g34660), an Arabidopsis thaliana SH3 and Bin/amphiphysin/Rvs (BAR) domain-containing protein, was reported to have a specific role in cell plate assembly, unlike its paralogs SH3P1 (At1g31440) and SH3P3 (At4g18060). SH3P family members were also predicted to interact with formins—evolutionarily conserved actin nucleators that participate in microtubule organization and in membrane–cytoskeleton interactions. To trace the origin of functional specialization of plant SH3Ps, we performed phylogenetic analysis of SH3P sequences from selected plant lineages. SH3Ps are present in charophytes, liverworts, mosses, lycophytes, gymnosperms, and angiosperms, but not in volvocal algae, suggesting association of these proteins with phragmoplast-, but not phycoplast-based cell division. Separation of three SH3P clades, represented by SH3P1, SH3P2, and SH3P3 of A. thaliana, appears to be a seed plant synapomorphy. In the yeast two hybrid system, Arabidopsis SH3P3, but not SH3P2, binds the FH1 and FH2 domains of the formin FH5 (At5g54650), known to participate in cytokinesis, while an opposite binding specificity was found for the dynamin homolog DRP1A (At5g42080), confirming earlier findings. This suggests that the cytokinetic role of SH3P2 is not due to its interaction with FH5. Possible determinants of interaction specificity of SH3P2 and SH3P3 were identified bioinformatically.

The intrinsically disordered region of the cytokinetic F-BAR protein Cdc15 performs a unique essential function in maintenance of cytokinetic ring integrity

Successful separation of two daughter cells (i.e., cytokinesis) is essential for life. Many eukaryotic cells divide using a contractile apparatus called the cytokinetic ring (CR) that associates dynamically with the plasma membrane (PM) and generates force that contributes to PM ingression between daughter cells. In Schizosaccharomyces pombe, important membrane-CR scaffolds include the paralogous F-BAR proteins Cdc15 and Imp2. Their conserved protein structure consists of the archetypal F-BAR domain linked to an SH3 domain by an intrinsically disordered region (IDR). Functions have been assigned to the F-BAR and SH3 domains. In this study we probed the function of the central IDR. We found that the IDR of Cdc15 is essential for viability and cannot be replaced by that of Imp2, whereas the F-BAR domain of Cdc15 can be swapped with several different F-BAR domains, including that of Imp2. Deleting part of the IDR results in CR defects and abolishes calcineurin phosphatase localization to the CR. Together these results indicate that Cdc15's IDR has a nonredundant essential function that coordinates regulation of CR architecture.

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.

Roles of the fission yeast UNC-13/Munc13 protein Ync13 in late stages of cytokinesis

Cytokinesis is a complicated yet conserved step of the cell-division cycle that requires the coordination of multiple proteins and cellular processes. Here we describe a previously uncharacterized protein, Ync13, and its roles during fission yeast cytokinesis. Ync13 is a member of the UNC-13/Munc13 protein family, whose animal homologues are essential priming factors for soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor complex assembly during exocytosis in various cell types, but no roles in cytokinesis have been reported. We find that Ync13 binds to lipids in vitro and dynamically localizes to the plasma membrane at cell tips during interphase and at the division site during cytokinesis. Deletion of Ync13 leads to defective septation and exocytosis, uneven distribution of cell-wall enzymes and components of cell-wall integrity pathway along the division site and massive cell lysis during cell separation. Interestingly, loss of Ync13 compromises endocytic site selection at the division plane. Collectively, we find that Ync13 has a novel function as an UNC-13/Munc13 protein in coordinating exocytosis, endocytosis, and cell-wall integrity during fission yeast cytokinesis.

Transgenic expression of the RNA binding protein IMP2 stabilizes miRNA targets in murine microsteatosis

Adult expression of IMP2 is often associated with several types of disease and cancer. The RNA binding protein IMP2 binds and stabilizes the IGF2 mRNA as well as hundreds of other transcripts during development. To gain insight into the molecular action of IMP2 and its contribution to disease in context of adult cellular metabolism, we analyze transgenic overexpression of IMP2 in mouse livers, which has been shown to induce a steatosis-like phenotype and enhanced risk to develop hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our data show up-regulation of several HCC marker genes and miRNAs (miR438-3p and miR151-5p). To characterize the impact of miRNAs to their targets, integrative analysis of transcriptome-and miRNAome-dynamics in combination with IMP2 target prediction was carried out. Our analyses show that targets of expressed miRNAs become accumulated in the case that these transcripts have positive IMP2 binding prediction. Therefore, our data indicates that overexpression of IMP2 alters the regulatory capacity of many miRNAs and we conclude that IMP2 competes with miRNAs for binding sites on thousands of transcripts. As a result, our data implicates that overexpression of IMP2 has distinct effects to the regulatory capacity of miRNAs with yet unknown consequences for translational efficiency.

Cell polarity protein Spa2 coordinates Chs2 incorporation at the division site in budding yeast

Deposition of additional plasma membrane and cargoes during cytokinesis in eukaryotic cells must be coordinated with actomyosin ring contraction, plasma membrane ingression and extracellular matrix remodelling. The process by which the secretory pathway promotes specific incorporation of key factors into the cytokinetic machinery is poorly understood. Here, we show that cell polarity protein Spa2 interacts with actomyosin ring components during cytokinesis. Spa2 directly binds to cytokinetic factors Cyk3 and Hof1. The lethal effects of deleting the SPA2 gene in the absence of either Cyk3 or Hof1 can be suppressed by expression of the hypermorphic allele of the essential chitin synthase II (Chs2), a transmembrane protein transported on secretory vesicles that makes the primary septum during cytokinesis. Spa2 also interacts directly with the chitin synthase Chs2. Interestingly, artificial incorporation of Chs2 into the cytokinetic machinery allows the localisation of Spa2 at the site of division. In addition, increased Spa2 protein levels promote Chs2 incorporation at the site of division and primary septum formation. Our data indicate that Spa2 is recruited to the cleavage site to co-operate with the secretory vesicle system and particular actomyosin ring components to promote the incorporation of Chs2 into the so-called 'ingression progression complexes' during cytokinesis in budding yeast.

Cdk1-dependent phosphoinhibition of a formin-F-BAR interaction opposes cytokinetic contractile ring formation

In Schizosaccharomyces pombe, cytokinesis requires the assembly and constriction of an actomyosin-based contractile ring (CR). A single essential formin, Cdc12, localizes to the cell middle upon mitotic onset and nucleates the F-actin of the CR. Cdc12 medial recruitment is mediated in part by its direct binding to the F-BAR scaffold Cdc15. Given that Cdc12 is hyperphosphorylated in M phase, we explored whether Cdc12 phosphoregulation impacts its association with Cdc15 during mitosis. We found that Cdk1, a major mitotic kinase, phosphorylates Cdc12 on six N-terminal residues near the Cdc15-binding site, and phosphorylation on these sites inhibits its interaction with the Cdc15 F-BAR domain. Consistent with this finding, a cdc12 mutant with all six Cdk1 sites changed to phosphomimetic residues (cdc12-6D) displays phenotypes similar to cdc12-P31A, in which the Cdc15-binding motif is disrupted; both show reduced Cdc12 at the CR and delayed CR formation. Together, these results indicate that Cdk1 phosphorylation of formin Cdc12 antagonizes its interaction with Cdc15 and thereby opposes Cdc12's CR localization. These results are consistent with a general role for Cdk1 in inhibiting cytokinesis until chromosome segregation is complete.

Mechanisms Connecting the Conserved Protein Kinases Ssp1, Kin1, and Pom1 in Fission Yeast Cell Polarity and Division

Connections between the protein kinases that function within complex cell polarity networks are poorly understood. Rod-shaped fission yeast cells grow in a highly polarized manner, and genetic screens have identified many protein kinases, including the CaMKK-like Ssp1 and the MARK/PAR-1 family kinase Kin1, that are required for polarized growth and cell shape, but their functional mechanisms and connections have been unknown [1-5]. We found that Ssp1 promotes cell polarity by phosphorylating the activation loop of Kin1. Kin1 regulates cell polarity and cytokinesis through unknown mechanisms [4-7]. We performed a large-scale phosphoproteomic screen and found that Kin1 phosphorylates itself and Pal1 to promote growth at cell tips, and these proteins are interdependent for localization to growing cell tips. Additional Kin1 substrates for cell polarity and cytokinesis (Tea4, Mod5, Cdc15, and Cyk3) were also phosphorylated by a second kinase, the DYRK family member Pom1 [8]. Kin1 and Pom1 were enriched at opposite ends of growing cells, and they phosphorylated largely non-overlapping sites on shared substrates. Combined inhibition of both Kin1and Pom1 led to synthetic defects in their shared substrates Cdc15 and Cyk3, confirming a non-redundant functional connection through shared substrates. These findings uncover a new Ssp1-Kin1 signaling pathway, and define its functional and mechanistic connection with Pom1 signaling for cell polarity and cytokinesis. These kinases are conserved in many eukaryotes including humans, suggesting that similar connections and mechanisms might operate in a broad range of cells.

Nanoscale architecture of the Schizosaccharomyces pombe contractile ring

The contractile ring is a complex molecular apparatus which physically divides many eukaryotic cells. Despite knowledge of its protein composition, the molecular architecture of the ring is not known. Here we have applied super-resolution microscopy and FRET to determine the nanoscale spatial organization of Schizosaccharomyces pombe contractile ring components relative to the plasma membrane. Similar to other membrane-tethered actin structures, we find proteins localize in specific layers relative to the membrane. The most membrane-proximal layer (0–80 nm) is composed of membrane-binding scaffolds, formin, and the tail of the essential myosin-II. An intermediate layer (80–160 nm) consists of a network of cytokinesis accessory proteins as well as multiple signaling components which influence cell division. Farthest from the membrane (160–350 nm) we find F-actin, the motor domains of myosins, and a major F-actin crosslinker. Circumferentially within the ring, multiple proteins proximal to the membrane form clusters of different sizes, while components farther from the membrane are uniformly distributed. This comprehensive organizational map provides a framework for understanding contractile ring function.

A New Membrane Protein Sbg1 Links the Contractile Ring Apparatus and Septum Synthesis Machinery in Fission Yeast

Cytokinesis in many organisms requires a plasma membrane anchored actomyosin ring, whose contraction facilitates cell division. In yeast and fungi, actomyosin ring constriction is also coordinated with division septum assembly. How the actomyosin ring interacts with the plasma membrane and the plasma membrane-localized septum synthesizing machinery remains poorly understood. In Schizosaccharomyces pombe, an attractive model organism to study cytokinesis, the β-1,3-glucan synthase Cps1p / Bgs1p, an integral membrane protein, localizes to the plasma membrane overlying the actomyosin ring and is required for primary septum synthesis. Through a high-dosage suppressor screen we identified an essential gene, sbg1⁺ (suppressor of beta glucan synthase 1), which suppressed the colony formation defect of Bgs1-defective cps1-191 mutant at higher temperatures. Sbg1p, an integral membrane protein, localizes to the cell ends and to the division site. Sbg1p and Bgs1p physically interact and are dependent on each other to localize to the division site. Loss of Sbg1p results in an unstable actomyosin ring that unravels and slides, leading to an inability to deposit a single contiguous division septum and an important reduction of the β-1,3-glucan proportion in the cell wall, coincident with that observed in the cps1-191 mutant. Sbg1p shows genetic and / or physical interaction with Rga7p, Imp2p, Cdc15p, and Pxl1p, proteins known to be required for actomyosin ring integrity and efficient septum synthesis. This study establishes Sbg1p as a key member of a group of proteins that link the plasma membrane, the actomyosin ring, and the division septum assembly machinery in fission yeast.

Cell division in many organisms requires the function of an actomyosin ring, an apparatus that resembles the force generating machinery in the muscle. This ring apparatus is attached to the cell periphery (cell membranes) such that when it contracts, it brings the cell periphery together with it, leading to cell division. How the actomyosin ring is attached to the cell membrane at the division site is unknown. In this manuscript, we identify and describe Sbg1, a protein that links the actomyosin ring and the cell membranes since Sbg1 has a sequence that allows it to be inserted into the cell membrane. Sbg1 specifically localizes to the cell division site and also cooperates with a cell wall biosynthetic enzyme Bgs1 to achieve cell division. Consistently, in the absence of Sbg1, cells fail to divide leading to lethality. Sbg1 interacts with a number of cell division proteins, such as Cdc15, Rga7, Imp2, and Pxl1, to achieve its function as a bridge between the cell membrane and the actomyosin ring. Our work identifies a direct molecular link between the actomyosin ring and the cell membranes, explaining how ring contraction leads to inward movement of the cell periphery.

A Genetic Screen for Fission Yeast Gene Deletion Mutants Exhibiting Hypersensitivity to Latrunculin A

Fission yeast cells treated with low doses of the actin depolymerizing drug, latrunculin A (LatA), delay entry into mitosis via a mechanism that is dependent on both the Clp1p and Rad24p proteins. During this delay, cells remain in a cytokinesis-competent state that is characterized by continuous repair and/or reestablishment of the actomyosin ring. In this manner, cells ensure the faithful completion of the preceding cytokinesis in response to perturbation of the cell division machinery. To uncover other genes with a role in this response, or simply genes with roles in adapting to LatA-induced stress, we carried out a genome-wide screen and identified a group of 38 gene deletion mutants that are hyper-sensitive to the drug. As expected, we found genes affecting cytokinesis and/or the actin cytoskeleton within this set (ain1, acp2, imp2). We also identified genes with roles in histone modification (tra1, ngg1), intracellular transport (apl5, aps3), and glucose-mediated signaling (git3, git5, git11, pka1, cgs2). Importantly, while the identified gene deletion mutants are prone to cytokinesis failure in the presence of LatA, they are nevertheless fully capable of cell division in the absence of the drug. These results indicate that fission yeast cells make use of a diverse set of regulatory modules to counter abnormal cytoskeletal perturbations, and furthermore, that these modules act redundantly to ensure cell survival and proliferation.

Overview of fission yeast septation

Cytokinesis is the final process of the vegetative cycle, which divides a cell into two independent daughter cells once mitosis is completed. In fungi, as in animal cells, cytokinesis requires the formation of a cleavage furrow originated by constriction of an actomyosin ring which is connected to the plasma membrane and causes its invagination. Additionally, because fungal cells have a polysaccharide cell wall outside the plasma membrane, cytokinesis requires the formation of a septum coincident with the membrane ingression. Fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe is a unicellular, rod-shaped fungus that has become a popular model organism for the study of actomyosin ring formation and constriction during cell division. Here we review the current knowledge of the septation and separation processes in this fungus, as well as recent advances in understanding the functional interaction between the transmembrane enzymes that build the septum and the actomyosin ring proteins.

Linking up at the BAR: Oligomerization and F-BAR protein function

As cells grow, move, and divide, they must reorganize and rearrange their membranes and cytoskeleton. The F-BAR protein family links cellular membranes with actin cytoskeletal rearrangements in processes including endocytosis, cytokinesis, and cell motility. Here we review emerging information on mechanisms of F-BAR domain oligomerization and membrane binding, and how these activities are coordinated with additional domains to accomplish scaffolding and signaling functions.

Oligomerization but Not Membrane Bending Underlies the Function of Certain F-BAR Proteins in Cell Motility and Cytokinesis

F-BAR proteins function in diverse cellular processes by linking membranes to the actin cytoskeleton. Through oligomerization, multiple F-BAR domains can bend membranes into tubules, though the physiological importance of F-BAR-to-F-BAR assemblies is not yet known. Here, we investigate the F-BAR domain of the essential cytokinetic scaffold, Schizosaccharomyces pombe Cdc15, during cytokinesis. Challenging a widely held view that membrane deformation is a fundamental property of F-BARs, we report that the Cdc15 F-BAR binds, but does not deform, membranes in vivo or in vitro, and six human F-BAR domains-including those from Fer and RhoGAP4-share this property. Nevertheless, tip-to-tip interactions between F-BAR dimers are critical for Cdc15 oligomerization and high-avidity membrane binding, stabilization of contractile ring components at the medial cortex, and the fidelity of cytokinesis. F-BAR oligomerization is also critical for Fer and RhoGAP4 physiological function, demonstrating its broad importance to F-BAR proteins that function without membrane bending.

Fission yeast septation

In animal cells cytokinesis relies on the contraction of an actomyosin ring that pulls the plasma membrane to create a cleavage furrow, whose ingression finally divides the mother cell into two daughter cells. Fungal cells are surrounded by a tough and flexible structure called cell wall, which is considered to be the functional equivalent of the extracellular matrix in animal cells. Therefore, in addition to cleavage furrow ingression, fungal cytokinesis also requires the centripetal formation of a septum wall structure that develops between the dividing cells, whose genesis must be strictly coordinated with both the actomyosin ring closure and plasma membrane ingression. Here we briefly review what is known about the septum structure and composition in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the recent progress about the relationship between septum biosynthesis and actomyosin ring constriction, and the importance of the septum and ring in the steady progression of the cleavage furrow.

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.

The Tubulation Activity of a Fission Yeast F-BAR Protein Is Dispensable for Its Function in Cytokinesis

F-BAR proteins link cellular membranes to the actin cytoskeleton in many biological processes. Here we investigated the function of the Schizosaccharomyces pombe Imp2 F-BAR domain in cytokinesis and find that it is critical for Imp2's role in contractile ring constriction and disassembly. To understand mechanistically how the F-BAR domain functions, we determined its structure, elucidated how it interacts with membranes, and identified an interaction between dimers that allows helical oligomerization and membrane tubulation. Using mutations that block either membrane binding or tubulation, we find that membrane binding is required for Imp2's cytokinetic function but that oligomerization and tubulation, activities often deemed central to F-BAR protein function, are dispensable. Accordingly, F-BARs that do not have the capacity to tubulate membranes functionally substitute for the Imp2 F-BAR, establishing that its major role is as a cell-cycle-regulated bridge between the membrane and Imp2 protein partners, rather than as a driver of membrane curvature.

The DYRK-family kinase Pom1 phosphorylates the F-BAR protein Cdc15 to prevent division at cell poles

Division site positioning is critical for both symmetric and asymmetric cell divisions. In many organisms, positive and negative signals cooperate to position the contractile actin ring for cytokinesis. In rod-shaped fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe cells, division at midcell is achieved through positive Mid1/anillin-dependent signaling emanating from the central nucleus and negative signals from the dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase family kinase Pom1 at the cell poles. In this study, we show that Pom1 directly phosphorylates the F-BAR protein Cdc15, a central component of the cytokinetic ring. Pom1-dependent phosphorylation blocks Cdc15 binding to paxillin Pxl1 and C2 domain protein Fic1 and enhances Cdc15 dynamics. This promotes ring sliding from cell poles, which prevents septum assembly at the ends of cells with a displaced nucleus or lacking Mid1. Pom1 also slows down ring constriction. These results indicate that a strong negative signal from the Pom1 kinase at cell poles converts Cdc15 to its closed state, destabilizes the actomyosin ring, and thus promotes medial septation.

Regulation of contractile ring formation and septation in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe has become a powerful model organism for cytokinesis studies, propelled by pioneering genetic screens in the 1980s and 1990s. S. pombe cells are rod-shaped and divide similarly to mammalian cells, utilizing a medially-placed actin-and myosin-based contractile ring. A cell wall division septum is deposited behind the constricting ring, forming the new ends of each daughter cell. Here we discuss recent advances in our understanding of the regulation of contractile ring formation through formin proteins and the role of the division septum in S. pombe cell division.

Cytoskeletal dynamics: a view from the membrane

Many aspects of cytoskeletal assembly and dynamics can be recapitulated in vitro; yet, how the cytoskeleton integrates signals in vivo across cellular membranes is far less understood. Recent work has demonstrated that the membrane alone, or through membrane-associated proteins, can effect dynamic changes to the cytoskeleton, thereby impacting cell physiology. Having identified mechanistic links between membranes and the actin, microtubule, and septin cytoskeletons, these studies highlight the membrane’s central role in coordinating these cytoskeletal systems to carry out essential processes, such as endocytosis, spindle positioning, and cellular compartmentalization.

Cooperation between Paxillin-like Protein Pxl1 and Glucan Synthase Bgs1 Is Essential for Actomyosin Ring Stability and Septum Formation in Fission Yeast

In fungal cells cytokinesis requires coordinated closure of a contractile actomyosin ring (CAR) and synthesis of a special cell wall structure known as the division septum. Many CAR proteins have been identified and characterized, but how these molecules interact with the septum synthesis enzymes to form the septum remains unclear. Our genetic study using fission yeast shows that cooperation between the paxillin homolog Pxl1, required for ring integrity, and Bgs1, the enzyme responsible for linear β(1,3)glucan synthesis and primary septum formation, is required for stable anchorage of the CAR to the plasma membrane before septation onset, and for cleavage furrow formation. Thus, lack of Pxl1 in combination with Bgs1 depletion, causes failure of ring contraction and lateral cell wall overgrowth towards the cell lumen without septum formation. We also describe here that Pxl1 concentration at the CAR increases during cytokinesis and that this increase depends on the SH3 domain of the F-BAR protein Cdc15. In consequence, Bgs1 depletion in cells carrying a cdc15_ΔSH3 allele causes ring disassembly and septation blockage, as it does in cells lacking Pxl1. On the other hand, the absence of Pxl1 is lethal when Cdc15 function is affected, generating a large sliding of the CAR with deposition of septum wall material along the cell cortex, and suggesting additional functions for both Pxl1 and Cdc15 proteins. In conclusion, our findings indicate that CAR anchorage to the plasma membrane through Cdc15 and Pxl1, and concomitant Bgs1 activity, are necessary for CAR maintenance and septum formation in fission yeast.

Cytokinesis requires assembly of an actomyosin ring adjacent to the plasma membrane, which upon contraction pulls the membrane to form a cleavage furrow. In fungi ring closure is coordinated with the synthesis of a cell wall septum. Knowledge about the molecules anchoring the ring to the membrane is very limited. We have found that fission yeast paxillin, located at the ring, and Bgs1, the enzyme responsible for primary septum formation, located at the membrane, cooperate during cytokinesis. Both are required to anchor the ring to the membrane and to maintain it during cytokinesis. Moreover, both proteins cooperate to form the septum. Accordingly, paxillin is essential when Bgs1 is depleted. When both proteins are missing, the contractile ring forms but the lateral cell wall overgrows inwards without a defined cleavage furrow and septum formation. During cytokinesis there is an increase of paxillin which depends on the SH3 domain of the F-BAR protein Cdc15. Consequently the absence of this domain mimics the phenotype of paxillin absence in Bgs1-depleted cells. Interestingly, a decreased function of both Cdc15 and paxillin uncouples the septum synthesis from the ring contraction, indicating an essential cooperation between these proteins and Bgs1 for proper cytokinesis.

Evolution of the SH3 Domain Specificity Landscape in Yeasts

To explore the conservation of Src homology 3 (SH3) domain-mediated networks in evolution, we compared the specificity landscape of these domains among four yeast species, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Ashbya gossypii, Candida albicans, and Schizosaccharomyces pombe, encompassing 400 million years of evolution. We first aligned and catalogued the families of SH3-containing proteins in these four species to determine the relationships between homologous domains. Then, we tagged and purified all soluble SH3 domains (82 in total) to perform a quantitative peptide assay (SPOT) for each SH3 domain. All SPOT readouts were hierarchically clustered and we observed that the organization of the SH3 specificity landscape in three distinct profile classes remains conserved across these four yeast species. We also produced a specificity profile for each SH3 domain from manually aligned top SPOT hits and compared the within-family binding motif consensus. This analysis revealed a striking example of binding motif divergence in a C. albicans Rvs167 paralog, which cannot be explained by overall SH3 sequence or interface residue divergence, and we validated this specificity change with a yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) assay. In addition, we show that position-weighted matrices (PWM) compiled from SPOT assays can be used for binding motif screening in potential binding partners and present cases where motifs are either conserved or lost among homologous SH3 interacting proteins. Finally, by comparing pairwise SH3 sequence identity to binding profile correlation we show that for ~75% of all analyzed families the SH3 specificity profile was remarkably conserved over a large evolutionary distance. Thus, a high sequence identity within an SH3 domain family predicts conserved binding specificity, whereas divergence in sequence identity often coincided with a change in binding specificity within this family. As such, our results are important for future studies aimed at unraveling complex specificity networks of peptide recognition domains in higher eukaryotes, including mammals.

Cytokinesis: does Mid1 have an identity crisis?

New work shows the anillin-related protein Mid1 does not position the cytokinetic ring in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces japonicus, unlike its role in S. pombe. Further analysis suggests the conserved function of Mid1-like anillin proteins may be in scaffolding, not positioning, the cytokinetic ring.