scholarly journals Robust Gap Repair in the Contractile Ring Ensures Timely Completion of Cytokinesis

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
AM Silva ◽  
D Osório ◽  
AJ Pereira ◽  
H Maiato ◽  
IM Pinto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Laser Cutting ◽  
Ring Structure ◽  
Biophysical Properties ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Contractile Ring ◽  
Local Repair ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Timely Completion ◽  
New Material ◽  
Robust Process

AbstractCytokinesis in animal cells requires the constriction of an actomyosin contractile ring, whose architecture and mechanism remain poorly understood. We use laser microsurgery to explore the biophysical properties of constricting contractile rings in C. elegans embryos. Laser cutting causes rings to snap open, which is a sign of tension release. However, instead of disintegrating, ring topology recovers and constriction proceeds. In response to severing, a finite gap forms that is proportional to ring perimeters before cutting, demonstrating that tension along the ring decreases throughout constriction. Severed rings repair their gaps by recruiting new material and subsequently increase constriction rate and complete cytokinesis with the same timing as uncut rings. Rings repair successive cuts and exhibit substantial constriction when gap repair is prevented. Our analysis suggests that cytokinesis is accomplished by contractile modules that assemble and contract autonomously, enabling local repair of the actomyosin network throughout constriction. Consequently, cytokinesis is a highly robust process impervious to discontinuities in contractile ring structure.

scholarly journals Robust gap repair in the contractile ring ensures timely completion of cytokinesis

2016 ◽  
Vol 215 (6) ◽  
pp. 789-799 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana M. Silva ◽  
Daniel S. Osório ◽  
Antonio J. Pereira ◽  
Helder Maiato ◽  
Inês Mendes Pinto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Ring Structure ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Contractile Ring ◽  
Cortical Tension ◽  
Timely Completion ◽  
Open Ring ◽  
New Material ◽  
Robust Process

Cytokinesis in animal cells requires the constriction of an actomyosin contractile ring, whose architecture and mechanism remain poorly understood. We use laser microsurgery to explore the biophysical properties of constricting rings in Caenorhabditis elegans embryos. Laser cutting causes rings to snap open. However, instead of disintegrating, ring topology recovers and constriction proceeds. In response to severing, a finite gap forms and is repaired by recruitment of new material in an actin polymerization–dependent manner. An open ring is able to constrict, and rings repair from successive cuts. After gap repair, an increase in constriction velocity allows cytokinesis to complete at the same time as controls. Our analysis demonstrates that tension in the ring increases while net cortical tension at the site of ingression decreases throughout constriction and suggests that cytokinesis is accomplished by contractile modules that assemble and contract autonomously, enabling local repair of the actomyosin network. Consequently, cytokinesis is a highly robust process impervious to discontinuities in contractile ring structure.

scholarly journals Flow-independent accumulation of motor-competent non-muscle myosin II in the contractile ring is essential for cytokinesis

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
DS Osorio ◽  
FY Chan ◽  
J Saramago ◽  
J Leite ◽  
AM Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Activity ◽  
Myosin Ii ◽  
Minor Role ◽  
Cortical Actin ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Contractile Ring ◽  
Myosin Motor ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Ring Assembly ◽  
Muscle Myosin

AbstractCytokinesis in animal cells requires the assembly of a contractile actomyosin ring, whose subsequent constriction physically separates the two daughter cells. Non-muscle myosin II (myosin) is essential for cytokinesis, but the role of its motor activity remains poorly defined. Here, we examine cytokinesis in C. elegans one-cell embryos expressing myosin motor mutants generated by genome editing. Motor-dead myosin, which is capable of binding F-actin, does not support cytokinesis, and embryos co-expressing motor-dead and wild-type myosin are delayed in cytokinesis. Partially motor-impaired myosin also delays cytokinesis and renders contractile rings more sensitive to reduced myosin levels. Thus, myosin motor activity, rather than its ability to cross-link actin filaments, drives contractile ring assembly and constriction. We further demonstrate that myosin motor activity is required for long-range cortical actin flows, but that flows per se play a minor role in contractile ring assembly. Our results suggest that flow-independent recruitment of motor-competent myosin to the cell equator is both essential and rate-limiting for cytokinesis.

scholarly journals H3K27 modifiers regulate lifespan in C. elegans in a context-dependent manner

BMC Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abigail R. R. Guillermo ◽  
Karolina Chocian ◽  
Gavriil Gavriilidis ◽  
Julien Vandamme ◽  
Anna Elisabetta Salcini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lifespan Extension ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Loss Of Function ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Specific Effects ◽  
Aberrant Gene Expression ◽  
Lysine Methyltransferase ◽  
Epigenetic Signatures ◽  
Aberrant Gene

Abstract Background Evidence of global heterochromatin decay and aberrant gene expression in models of physiological and premature ageing have long supported the “heterochromatin loss theory of ageing”, which proposes that ageing is aetiologically linked to, and accompanied by, a progressive, generalised loss of repressive epigenetic signatures. However, the remarkable plasticity of chromatin conformation suggests that the re-establishment of such marks could potentially revert the transcriptomic architecture of animal cells to a “younger” state, promoting longevity and healthspan. To expand our understanding of the ageing process and its connection to chromatin biology, we screened an RNAi library of chromatin-associated factors for increased longevity phenotypes. Results We identified the lysine demethylases jmjd-3.2 and utx-1, as well as the lysine methyltransferase mes-2 as regulators of both lifespan and healthspan in C. elegans. Strikingly, we found that both overexpression and loss of function of jmjd-3.2 and utx-1 are all associated with enhanced longevity. Furthermore, we showed that the catalytic activity of UTX-1, but not JMJD-3.2, is critical for lifespan extension in the context of overexpression. In attempting to reconcile the improved longevity associated with both loss and gain of function of utx-1, we investigated the alternative lifespan pathways and tissue specificity of longevity outcomes. We demonstrated that lifespan extension caused by loss of utx-1 function is daf-16 dependent, while overexpression effects are partially independent of daf-16. In addition, lifespan extension was observed when utx-1 was knocked down or overexpressed in neurons and intestine, whereas in the epidermis, only knockdown of utx-1 conferred improved longevity. Conclusions We show that the regulation of longevity by chromatin modifiers can be the result of the interaction between distinct factors, such as the level and tissue of expression. Overall, we suggest that the heterochromatin loss model of ageing may be too simplistic an explanation of organismal ageing when molecular and tissue-specific effects are taken into account.

scholarly journals Adhesion-dependent and Contractile Ring-independent Equatorial Furrowing during Cytokinesis in Mammalian Cells

2005 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 3865-3872 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masamitsu Kanada ◽  
Akira Nagasaki ◽  
Taro Q.P. Uyeda
Keyword(s):  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Rat Kidney ◽  
Myosin Ii ◽  
Rho Kinase ◽  
Cellular Slime Mold ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Contractile Ring ◽  
Normal Rat ◽  
Cellular Slime ◽  
Coated Surfaces

Myosin II-dependent contraction of the contractile ring drives equatorial furrowing during cytokinesis in animal cells. Nonetheless, myosin II-null cells of the cellular slime mold Dictyostelium divide efficiently when adhering to substrates by making use of polar traction forces. Here, we show that in the presence of 30 μM blebbistatin, a potent myosin II inhibitor, normal rat kidney (NRK) cells adhering to fibronectin-coated surfaces formed equatorial furrows and divided in a manner strikingly similar to myosin II-null Dictyostelium cells. Such blebbistatin-resistant cytokinesis was absent in partially detached NRK cells and was disrupted in adherent cells if the advance of their polar lamellipodia was disturbed by neighboring cells. Y-27632 (40 μM), which inhibits Rho-kinase, was similar to 30 μM blebbistatin in that it inhibited cytokinesis of partially detached NRK cells but only prolonged furrow ingression in attached cells. In the presence of 100 μM blebbistatin, most NRK cells that initiated anaphase formed tight furrows, although scission never occurred. Adherent HT1080 fibrosarcoma cells also formed equatorial furrows efficiently in the presence of 100 μM blebbistatin. These results provide direct evidence for adhesion-dependent, contractile ring-independent equatorial furrowing in mammalian cells and demonstrate the importance of substrate adhesion for cytokinesis.

scholarly journals Mechanism of the formation of contractile ring in dividing cultured animal cells. II. Cortical movement of microinjected actin filaments.

1990 ◽  
Vol 111 (5) ◽  
pp. 1905-1911 ◽  
Author(s):  
L G Cao ◽  
Y L Wang
Keyword(s):  
Actin Filaments ◽  
Average Rate ◽  
Rat Kidney ◽  
Equatorial Region ◽  
Cell Cortex ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Cortical Actin ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Contractile Ring ◽  
Directional Movement

The contractile ring in dividing animal cells is formed primarily through the reorganization of existing actin filaments (Cao, L.-G., and Y.-L. Wang. 1990. J. Cell Biol. 110:1089-1096), but it is not clear whether the process involves a random recruitment of diffusible actin filaments from the cytoplasm, or a directional movement of cortically associated filaments toward the equator. We have studied this question by observing the distribution of actin filaments that have been labeled with fluorescent phalloidin and microinjected into dividing normal rat kidney (NRK) cells. The labeled filaments are present primarily in the cytoplasm during prometaphase and early metaphase, but become associated extensively with the cell cortex 10-15 min before the onset of anaphase. This process is manifested both as an increase in cortical fluorescence intensity and as movements of discrete aggregates of actin filaments toward the cortex. The concentration of actin fluorescence in the equatorial region, accompanied by a decrease of fluorescence in polar regions, is detected 2-3 min after the onset of anaphase. By directly tracing the distribution of aggregates of labeled actin filaments, we are able to detect, during anaphase and telophase, movements of cortical actin filaments toward the equator at an average rate of 1.0 micron/min. Our results, combined with previous observations, suggest that the organization of actin filaments during cytokinesis probably involves an association of cytoplasmic filaments with the cortex, a movement of cortical filaments toward the cleavage furrow, and a dissociation of filaments from the equatorial cortex.

scholarly journals Hydrogen Sulfide Increases Hypoxia-inducible Factor-1 Activity Independently of von Hippel–Lindau Tumor Suppressor-1 inC. elegans

2010 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 212-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark W. Budde ◽  
Mark B. Roth
Keyword(s):  
Hydrogen Sulfide ◽  
Tumor Suppressor ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Hypoxia Inducible Factor ◽  
Low Oxygen ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Von Hippel Lindau ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Reporter Activity ◽  
And Behavior

Rapid alteration of gene expression in response to environmental changes is essential for normal development and behavior. The transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 is well known to respond to alterations in oxygen availability. In nature, low oxygen environments are often found to contain high levels of hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Here, we show that Caenorhabditis elegans can have mutually exclusive responses to H2S and hypoxia, both involving HIF-1. Specifically, H2S results in HIF-1 activity throughout the hypodermis, whereas hypoxia causes HIF-1 activity in the gut as judged by a reporter for HIF-1 activity. C. elegans require hif-1 to survive in room air containing trace amounts of H2S. Exposure to H2S results in HIF-1 nuclear localization and transcription of HIF-1 targets. The effects of H2S on HIF-1 reporter activity are independent of von Hippel–Lindau tumor suppressor (VHL)-1, whereas VHL-1 is required for hypoxic regulation of HIF-1 reporter activity. Because H2S is naturally produced by animal cells, our results suggest that endogenous H2S may influence HIF-1 activity.

scholarly journals Assembly of normal actomyosin rings in the absence of Mid1p and cortical nodes in fission yeast

2008 ◽  
Vol 183 (6) ◽  
pp. 979-988 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yinyi Huang ◽  
Hongyan Yan ◽  
Mohan K. Balasubramanian
Keyword(s):  
Schizosaccharomyces Pombe ◽  
Fission Yeast ◽  
Ring Structure ◽  
Contractile Ring ◽  
Ring Assembly ◽  
Cell Biol ◽  
In Cells

Cytokinesis in many eukaryotes depends on the function of an actomyosin contractile ring. The mechanisms regulating assembly and positioning of this ring are not fully understood. The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe divides using an actomyosin ring and is an attractive organism for the study of cytokinesis. Recent studies in S. pombe (Wu, J.Q., V. Sirotkin, D.R. Kovar, M. Lord, C.C. Beltzner, J.R. Kuhn, and T.D. Pollard. 2006. J. Cell Biol. 174:391–402; Vavylonis, D., J.Q. Wu, S. Hao, B. O'Shaughnessy, and T.D. Pollard. 2008. Science. 319:97–100) have suggested that the assembly of the actomyosin ring is initiated from a series of cortical nodes containing several components of this ring. These studies have proposed that actomyosin interactions bring together the cortical nodes to form a compacted ring structure. In this study, we test this model in cells that are unable to assemble cortical nodes. Although the cortical nodes play a role in the timing of ring assembly, we find that they are dispensable for the assembly of orthogonal actomyosin rings. Thus, a mechanism that is independent of cortical nodes is sufficient for the assembly of normal actomyosin rings.

Transcriptional targets of DAF-16 insulin signaling pathway protect C. elegans from extreme hypertonic stress

2005 ◽  
Vol 288 (2) ◽  
pp. C467-C474 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Todd Lamitina ◽  
Kevin Strange
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Signaling ◽  
Stress Resistance ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Organic Osmolytes ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Hypertonic Stress ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Downstream Target ◽  
Molecular Damage

All cells adapt to hypertonic stress by regulating their volume after shrinkage, by accumulating organic osmolytes, and by activating mechanisms that protect against and repair hypertonicity-induced damage. In mammals and nematodes, inhibition of signaling from the DAF-2/IGF-1 insulin receptor activates the DAF-16/FOXO transcription factor, resulting in increased life span and resistance to some types of stress. We tested the hypothesis that inhibition of insulin signaling in Caenorhabditis elegans also increases hypertonic stress resistance. Genetic inhibition of DAF-2 or its downstream target, the AGE-1 phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, confers striking resistance to a normally lethal hypertonic shock in a DAF-16-dependent manner. However, insulin signaling is not inhibited by or required for adaptation to hypertonic conditions. Microarray studies have identified 263 genes that are transcriptionally upregulated by DAF-16 activation. We identified 14 DAF-16-upregulated genes by RNA interference screening that are required for age- 1 hypertonic stress resistance. These genes encode heat shock proteins, proteins of unknown function, and trehalose synthesis enzymes. Trehalose levels were elevated approximately twofold in age- 1 mutants, but this increase was insufficient to prevent rapid hypertonic shrinkage. However, age- 1 animals unable to synthesize trehalose survive poorly under hypertonic conditions. We conclude that increased expression of proteins that protect eukaryotic cells against environmental stress and/or repair stress-induced molecular damage confers hypertonic stress resistance in C. elegans daf- 2/ age- 1 mutants. Elevated levels of solutes such as trehalose may also function in a cytoprotective manner. Our studies provide novel insights into stress resistance in animal cells and a foundation for new studies aimed at defining molecular mechanisms underlying these essential processes.

scholarly journals Fission yeast myosin Myo2 is down-regulated in actin affinity by light chain phosphorylation

2017 ◽  
Vol 114 (35) ◽  
pp. E7236-E7244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luther W. Pollard ◽  
Carol S. Bookwalter ◽  
Qing Tang ◽  
Elena B. Krementsova ◽  
Kathleen M. Trybus ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fission Yeast ◽  
Light Chain ◽  
Force Production ◽  
Class Ii ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Cell Cortex ◽  
Animal Cells ◽  
Contractile Ring ◽  
Biophysical Studies

Studies in fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe have provided the basis for the most advanced models of the dynamics of the cytokinetic contractile ring. Myo2, a class-II myosin, is the major source of tension in the contractile ring, but how Myo2 is anchored and regulated to produce force is poorly understood. To enable more detailed biochemical/biophysical studies, Myo2 was expressed in the baculovirus/Sf9 insect cell system with its two native light chains, Rlc1 and Cdc4. Milligram yields of soluble, unphosphorylated Myo2 were obtained that exhibited high actin-activated ATPase activity and in vitro actin filament motility. The fission yeast specific chaperone Rng3 was thus not required for expression or activity. In contrast to nonmuscle myosins from animal cells that require phosphorylation of the regulatory light chain for activation, phosphorylation of Rlc1 markedly reduced the affinity of Myo2 for actin. Another unusual feature of Myo2 was that, unlike class-II myosins, which generally form bipolar filamentous structures, Myo2 showed no inclination to self-assemble at approximately physiological salt concentrations, as analyzed by sedimentation velocity ultracentrifugation. This lack of assembly supports the hypothesis that clusters of Myo2 depend on interactions at the cell cortex in structural units called nodes for force production during cytokinesis.

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