Epithelial re-organization and dynamics of progression through mitosis in Drosophila separase complex mutants

Separase cleaves a subunit of the cohesin complex and thereby promotes sister chromatid separation during mitotic and meiotic divisions. Drosophila separase associates with regulatory subunits encoded by the pimples and three rows genes. Three rows and Pimples, the Drosophila securin, are required for sister chromatid separation during mitosis. Budding yeast separase provides other functions in addition to cohesin subunit cleavage, which are required for spindle organization and temporal regulation during exit from mitosis. Therefore, using time-lapse imaging in live embryos, we have carefully analyzed progression through mitosis in pimples and three rows mutants. We demonstrate that despite the total failure of sister chromatid separation, exit from mitosis, including a complete cytokinesis, proceeds with only a minor temporal delay in the epidermal cells of these mutants. Interestingly, however, pronounced defects in the epithelial organization develop in the following interphase, indicating that the separase complex is not only important for genetic stability but also and perhaps indirectly for epithelial integrity.