scholarly journals Systems cell biology of the mitotic spindle

2010 ◽  
Vol 188 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-9
Author(s):  
Ramsey A. Saleem ◽  
John D. Aitchison
Keyword(s):  
Cell Division ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Systems Genetics ◽  
Mitotic Spindles ◽  
High Content Imaging ◽  
Controlled Assembly ◽  
Daughter Cells ◽  
And Function ◽  
Insight Into

Cell division depends critically on the temporally controlled assembly of mitotic spindles, which are responsible for the distribution of duplicated chromosomes to each of the two daughter cells. To gain insight into the process, Vizeacoumar et al., in this issue (Vizeacoumar et al. 2010. J. Cell Biol. doi:10.1083/jcb.200909013), have combined systems genetics with high-throughput and high-content imaging to comprehensively identify and classify novel components that contribute to the morphology and function of the mitotic spindle.

scholarly journals Asymmetric cell division: microtubule dynamics and spindle asymmetry

2002 ◽  
Vol 115 (11) ◽  
pp. 2257-2264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia A. Kaltschmidt ◽  
Andrea H. Brand
Keyword(s):  
Cell Division ◽  
Cell Size ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Asymmetric Cell Division ◽  
Model Organisms ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Daughter Cells ◽  
Cytoskeletal Dynamics ◽  
Insight Into

Asymmetric cell division can produce daughter cells with different developmental fates and is often accompanied by a difference in cell size. A number of recent genetic and in vivo imaging studies in Drosophilaand Caenorhabditis elegans have begun to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the rearrangements of the cytoskeleton that result in eccentrically positioned cleavage planes. As a result, we are starting to gain an insight into the complex nature of the signals controlling cytoskeletal dynamics in the dividing cell. In this commentary we discuss recent findings on how the mitotic spindle is positioned and on cleavage site induction and place them in the context of cell size asymmetry in different model organisms.

scholarly journals Midbody: From the Regulator of Cytokinesis to Postmitotic Signaling Organelle

Medicina ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ieva Antanavičiūtė ◽  
Paulius Gibieža ◽  
Rytis Prekeris ◽  
Vytenis Skeberdis
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Intercellular Bridge ◽  
Large Protein ◽  
Daughter Cells ◽  
First Case ◽  
Tumorigenic Potential ◽  
The One ◽  
And Function ◽  
Protein Rich

Faithful cell division is crucial for successful proliferation, differentiation, and development of cells, tissue homeostasis, and preservation of genomic integrity. Cytokinesis is a terminal stage of cell division, leaving two genetically identical daughter cells connected by an intercellular bridge (ICB) containing the midbody (MB), a large protein-rich organelle, in the middle. Cell division may result in asymmetric or symmetric abscission of the ICB. In the first case, the ICB is severed on the one side of the MB, and the MB is inherited by the opposite daughter cell. In the second case, the MB is cut from both sides, expelled into the extracellular space, and later it can be engulfed by surrounding cells. Cells with lower autophagic activity, such as stem cells and cancer stem cells, are inclined to accumulate MBs. Inherited MBs affect cell polarity, modulate intra- and intercellular communication, enhance pluripotency of stem cells, and increase tumorigenic potential of cancer cells. In this review, we briefly summarize the latest knowledge on MB formation, inheritance, degradation, and function, and in addition, present and discuss our recent findings on the electrical and chemical communication of cells connected through the MB-containing ICB.

scholarly journals The mitotic spindle protein CKAP2 potently increases formation and stability of microtubules

eLife ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas S McAlear ◽  
Susanne Bechstedt
Keyword(s):  
Cell Division ◽  
Growth Factor ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Apparent Rate Constant ◽  
Microtubule Dynamics ◽  
Proliferation Marker ◽  
Microtubule Growth ◽  
Large Rearrangements ◽  
And Function

Cells increase microtubule dynamics to make large rearrangements to their microtubule cytoskeleton during cell division. Changes in microtubule dynamics are essential for the formation and function of the mitotic spindle, and misregulation can lead to aneuploidy and cancer. Using in vitro reconstitution assays we show that the mitotic spindle protein Cytoskeleton-Associated Protein 2 (CKAP2) has a strong effect on nucleation of microtubules by lowering the critical tubulin concentration 100-fold. CKAP2 increases the apparent rate constant ka of microtubule growth by 50-fold and increases microtubule growth rates. In addition, CKAP2 strongly suppresses catastrophes. Our results identify CKAP2 as the most potent microtubule growth factor to date. These finding help explain CKAP2's role as an important spindle protein, proliferation marker, and oncogene.

scholarly journals The Nek6 and Nek7 Protein Kinases Are Required for Robust Mitotic Spindle Formation and Cytokinesis

2009 ◽  
Vol 29 (14) ◽  
pp. 3975-3990 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura O'Regan ◽  
Andrew M. Fry
Keyword(s):  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Spindle Assembly Checkpoint ◽  
Mitotic Spindles ◽  
Mitotic Progression ◽  
Serine Threonine Kinase ◽  
Spindle Formation ◽  
Spindle Poles ◽  
And Function ◽  
Interfering Rna ◽  
Reduced Activity

ABSTRACT Nek6 and Nek7 are members of the NIMA-related serine/threonine kinase family. Previous work showed that they contribute to mitotic progression downstream of another NIMA-related kinase, Nek9, although the roles of these different kinases remain to be defined. Here, we carried out a comprehensive analysis of the regulation and function of Nek6 and Nek7 in human cells. By generating specific antibodies, we show that both Nek6 and Nek7 are activated in mitosis and that interfering with their activity by either depletion or expression of reduced-activity mutants leads to mitotic arrest and apoptosis. Interestingly, while completely inactive mutants and small interfering RNA-mediated depletion delay cells at metaphase with fragile mitotic spindles, hypomorphic mutants or RNA interference treatment combined with a spindle assembly checkpoint inhibitor delays cells at cytokinesis. Importantly, depletion of either Nek6 or Nek7 leads to defective mitotic progression, indicating that although highly similar, they are not redundant. Indeed, while both kinases localize to spindle poles, only Nek6 obviously localizes to spindle microtubules in metaphase and anaphase and to the midbody during cytokinesis. Together, these data lead us to propose that Nek6 and Nek7 play independent roles not only in robust mitotic spindle formation but also potentially in cytokinesis.

scholarly journals Romancing mitosis and the mitotic apparatus

2014 ◽  
Vol 25 (21) ◽  
pp. 3270-3272
Author(s):  
William (B. R.) Brinkley
Keyword(s):  
Cell Biology ◽  
Mammalian Cell Culture ◽  
Molecular Organization ◽  
Mitotic Apparatus ◽  
Daughter Cells ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Culture Models ◽  
The Subject ◽  
And Function ◽  
Cell Culture Models

One of the earliest lessons students learn in biology is the process of mitosis and how cells divide to produce daughter cells. Although first described more than a century ago by early investigators such as E. B. Wilson, many aspects of mitosis and cell division remain the subject of considerable research today. My personal investigations and research contributions to the study of mitosis were made possible by recent developments in the field when I began my career, including access to novel mammalian cell culture models and electron and fluorescence microscopy. Building upon those innovations, my laboratory and other contemporary investigators first charted the ultrastructure and molecular organization of mitosis and chromosome movement and the assembly and function of the cytoskeleton. This field of research remains a significant challenge for future investigators in cell biology and medicine.

scholarly journals Combined effect of cell geometry and polarity domains determines the orientation of unequal division

eLife ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benoit G Godard ◽  
Remi Dumollard ◽  
Carl-Philipp Heisenberg ◽  
Alex McDougall
Keyword(s):  
Cell Division ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Cell Shape ◽  
Daughter Cell ◽  
Cleavage Plane ◽  
Mitotic Cell ◽  
Cell Geometry ◽  
Daughter Cells ◽  
Ascidian Embryos ◽  
Spindle Position

Cell division orientation is thought to result from a competition between cell geometry and polarity domains controlling the position of the mitotic spindle during mitosis. Depending on the level of cell shape anisotropy or the strength of the polarity domain, one dominates the other and determines the orientation of the spindle. Whether and how such competition is also at work to determine unequal cell division (UCD), producing daughter cells of different size, remains unclear. Here, we show that cell geometry and polarity domains cooperate, rather than compete, in positioning the cleavage plane during UCDs in early ascidian embryos. We found that the UCDs and their orientation at the ascidian third cleavage rely on the spindle tilting in an anisotropic cell shape, and cortical polarity domains exerting different effects on spindle astral microtubules. By systematically varying mitotic cell shape, we could modulate the effect of attractive and repulsive polarity domains and consequently generate predicted daughter cell size asymmetries and position. We therefore propose that the spindle position during UCD is set by the combined activities of cell geometry and polarity domains, where cell geometry modulates the effect of cortical polarity domain(s).

scholarly journals Localization and Function of Early Cell Division Proteins in Filamentous Escherichia coli Cells Lacking Phosphatidylethanolamine

1998 ◽  
Vol 180 (16) ◽  
pp. 4252-4257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugenia Mileykovskaya ◽  
Qin Sun ◽  
William Margolin ◽  
William Dowhan
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Ring Structure ◽  
Whole Cells ◽  
Nucleation Sites ◽  
Spiral Structures ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
And Function ◽  
Insight Into

ABSTRACT Escherichia coli cells that contain thepss-93 null mutation are completely deficient in the major membrane phospholipid phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). Such cells are defective in cell division. To gain insight into how a phospholipid defect could block cytokinesis, we used fluorescence techniques on whole cells to investigate which step of the cell division cycle was affected. Several proteins essential for early steps in cytokinesis, such as FtsZ, ZipA, and FtsA, were able to localize as bands to potential division sites in pss-93 filaments, indicating that the generation and localization of potential division sites was not grossly affected by the absence of PE. However, there was no evidence of constriction at most of these potential division sites. FtsZ and green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusions to FtsZ and ZipA often formed spiral structures in these mutant filaments. This is the first report of spirals formed by wild-type FtsZ expressed at normal levels and by ZipA-GFP. The results suggest that the lack of PE may affect the correct interaction of FtsZ with membrane nucleation sites and alter FtsZ ring structure so as to prevent or delay its constriction.

Katanin, the microtubule-severing ATPase, is concentrated at centrosomes

1996 ◽  
Vol 109 (3) ◽  
pp. 561-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
F.J. McNally ◽  
K. Okawa ◽  
A. Iwamatsu ◽  
R.D. Vale
Keyword(s):  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Dynamic Properties ◽  
Mitotic Spindles ◽  
Microtubule Severing ◽  
Spindle Microtubules ◽  
Gamma Tubulin ◽  
And Function ◽  
Poleward Flux

The assembly and function of the mitotic spindle involve specific changes in the dynamic properties of microtubules. One such change results in the poleward flux of tubulin in which spindle microtubules polymerize at their kinetochore-attached plus ends while they shorten at their centrosome-attached minus ends. Since free microtubule minus ends do not depolymerize in vivo, the poleward flux of tubulin suggests that spindle microtubules are actively disassembled at or near their centrosomal attachment points. The microtubule-severing ATPase, katanin, has the ability actively to sever and disassemble microtubules and is thus a candidate for the role of a protein mediating the poleward flux of tubulin. Here we determine the subcellular localization of katanin by immunofluorescence as a preliminary step in determining whether katanin mediates the poleward flux of tubulin. We find that katanin is highly concentrated at centrosomes throughout the cell cycle. Katanin's localization is different from that of gamma-tubulin in that microtubules are required to maintain the centrosomal localization of katanin. Direct comparison of the localization of katanin and gamma-tubulin reveals that katanin is localized in a region surrounding the gamma-tubulin-containing pericentriolar region in detergent-extracted mitotic spindles. The centrosomal localization of katanin is consistent with the hypothesis that katanin mediates the disassembly of microtubule minus ends during poleward flux.

scholarly journals A Scribble-E-cadherin complex controls daughter cell patterning by multiple mechanisms

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anchi S Chann ◽  
Ye Chen ◽  
Tanja Kinwel ◽  
Patrick O Humbert ◽  
Sarah Russell
Keyword(s):  
Cell Division ◽  
Mitotic Spindle ◽  
Cell Patterning ◽  
Cell Junction ◽  
Multiple Cues ◽  
Daughter Cells ◽  
Control Orientation ◽  
Mcf10a Cells ◽  
And Control ◽  
E Cadherin

The fate of the two daughter cells is intimately connected to their positioning, which is in turn regulated by cell junction remodelling and orientation of the mitotic spindle. How multiple cues are integrated to dictate the ultimate patterning of daughters is not clear. Here, we identify novel mechanisms of regulation of daughter positioning in single MCF10A cells. The polarity protein, Scribble, links E-cadherin to NuMA and Arp2/3 signalling for sequential roles in daughter positioning. First Scribble transmits cues from E-cadherin localised in retraction fibres to control orientation of the mitotic spindle. Second, Scribble re-locates to the junction between the two daughters to allow a new E-cadherin-based-interface to form between them, influencing the width of the nascent daughter-daughter junction, generation of filopodia and subsequent cell patterning. Thus, E-cadherin and Scribble dynamically relocate to different intracellular sites during cell division to orient the mitotic spindle and control placement of the daughter cells after cell division.

scholarly journals Live cell imaging of the hyperthermophilic archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius identifies complementary roles for two ESCRTIII homologues in ensuring a robust and symmetric cell division

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andre Arashiro Pulschen ◽  
Delyan R. Mutavchiev ◽  
Kim Nadine Sebastian ◽  
Jacques Roubinet ◽  
Marc Roubinet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Division ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Live Cell Imaging ◽  
Cell Imaging ◽  
Halophilic Archaea ◽  
Live Cell ◽  
Tight Coupling ◽  
Dna Compaction ◽  
Cellular Processes ◽  
Daughter Cells

Live-cell imaging has revolutionized our understanding of dynamic cellular processes in bacteria and eukaryotes. While similar techniques have recently been applied to the study of halophilic archaea, our ability to explore the cell biology of thermophilic archaea is limited, due to the technical challenges of imaging at high temperatures. Here, we report the construction of the Sulfoscope, a heated chamber that enables live-cell imaging on an inverted fluorescent microscope. Using this system combined with thermostable fluorescent probes, we were able to image Sulfolobus cells as they divide, revealing a tight coupling between changes in DNA compaction, segregation and cytokinesis. By imaging deletion mutants, we observe important differences in the function of the two ESCRTIII proteins recently implicated in cytokinesis. The loss of CdvB1 compromises cell division, causing occasional division failures and fusion of the two daughter cells, whereas the deletion of cdvB2 leads to a profound loss of division symmetry, generating daughter cells that vary widely in size and eventually generating ghost cells. These data indicate that DNA separation and cytokinesis are coordinated in Sulfolobus, as is the case in eukaryotes, and that two contractile ESCRTIII polymers perform distinct roles to ensure that Sulfolobus cells undergo a robust and symmetrical division. Taken together, the Sulfoscope has shown to provide a controlled high temperature environment, in which cell biology of Sulfolobus can be studied in unprecedent details.

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