Regulation of cytokinesis during corticogenesis: focus on the midbody

Abstract

Development of the cerebral cortices depends on tight regulation of cell divisions. In this system, stem and progenitor cells undergo symmetric and asymmetric divisions to ultimately produce neurons that establish the layers of the cortex. Cell division culminates with the formation of the midbody, a transient organelle that establishes the site of abscission between nascent daughter cells. During cytokinetic abscission, the final stage of cell division, one daughter cell will inherit the midbody remnant, which can then maintain or expel the remnant, but mechanisms and circumstances influencing this decision are unclear. This review describes the midbody and its constituent proteins, as well as the known consequences of their manipulation during cortical development. The potential functional relevance of midbody mechanisms is discussed.

Kinesin-6 KIF20B is required for efficient cytokinetic furrowing and timely abscission in human cells

“…These factors suggest that cytokinesis in the neuroepithelium is much more challenging than in a HeLa cell and requires both spatial and temporal precision ( Dwyer et al. , 2016 ; Johnson et al. , 2017 ).…”

Nucleoporin Nup58 localizes to centrosomes and mid-bodies during mitosis

“…Indeed, during cytokinesis, contraction of the actomyosin ring alters the cellular cortex to form a cleavage furrow and midbody, which serves as a platform for the gathering of the abscission apparatus that governs the final separation of daughter cells [40]. The midbody, initially described by Walther Flemming in the 19th century, forms from the midzone-a bipolar microtubule array that assembles between separating sister chromatids during anaphase [41]. Recently, it has become clear that the midbody acts as a polarity cue during spindle orientation, asymmetric cell division, and cell polarization by orchestrating vesicular transport, cytoskeletal organization, and localized cortical cues [41][42][43][44].…”

Kinesin-6 KIF20B is required for efficient cytokinetic furrowing and timely abscission in human cells

“…In addition, furrowing and abscission must be coordinated with the inheritance of apical adhesions and cell fate determinants, and delamination of neuronal daughters. These factors suggest that cytokinesis in a polarized epithelium is more challenging than in a HeLa cell and requires both spatial and temporal precision Johnson et al, 2017). Interestingly, in the neuroepithelium, Kif20b is important for keeping apical midbodies aligned with apical adherens junctions (Janisch et al, 2013).…”