Cytokinesis in development and disease: variations on a common theme

Abstract

Cytokinesis is a crucial step in cell proliferation, and remarkably, it is also an important mechanism for developmental regulation in the generation of diverse cell types in eukaryotic organisms. Successful cytokinesis relies on the assembly and activation of an actomyosin-based contractile ring and membrane deposition/fusion in a spatially and temporally precise manner. As such, the molecular pathways governing cytokinesis are highly complex, involving a large number of components forming intricate interactive networks. The complexity of this system, however, may have also provided a rich platform for evolutionary 'tinkering' to achieve specific morphogenetic and developmental outcomes. Furthermore, failed or altered cytokinesis appears to contribute to the development of cancer in unexpected ways.

The nucleoporin Nup153 affects spindle checkpoint activity due to an association with Mad1

“…These effects are consistent with delayed and abortive cytokinesis. [36][37][38] Overall, the number of midbodies in Nup153-depleted cells was twice that of control cells (Fig. 7F).…”

Syndecan-4 promotes cytokinesis in a phosphorylation-dependent manner

“…The guaninenucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) of Rho-family ECT2 and TD-60, or Rho-GTPase-activating proteins (RhoGAPs) MgcRacGAP, and p190RhoGAP were found implicated in the regulation of cytokinesis [5,[40][41][42][43]. Syndecan-4 could influence p190RhoGAP activity [44] and also determine the Rac activity [45,46] according to our studies in a phosphorylation-dependent manner (unpublished data), which in turn can lead to failure of abscission.…”

Actin cytoskeleton in cell polarity and asymmetric division during mouse oocyte maturation

“…This cortical actomyosin domain is crucial for later polar body extrusion upon fertilization. Thus, unlike mitotic cell division, where the contractile ring is assembled at telophase [Glotzer, 2001;Li, 2007], a meiotic actomyosin ring assembles prior to the anaphase onset and is a direct consequence of the subcortically positioned metaphase spindle.…”