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Published on: February 20, 2017
Cell polarization during monopolar cytokinesis
Chi-Kuo Hu1, Margaret Coughlin, Christine M Field
1Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. ckhu@fas.harvard.edu
The Journal of Cell Biology
|April 16, 2008
Summary
Cytokinesis involves cytoskeletal rearrangements. This study reveals feedback loops between actin and microtubules drive symmetry breaking in monopolar cell division, crucial for cell specialization.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Cytoskeletal Dynamics
- Molecular Cell Biology
Background:
- Cytokinesis requires precise spatial organization of the cytoskeleton.
- Microtubules and actin filaments orchestrate furrow formation and ingression.
- Mechanisms of regional cytoskeletal specialization remain incompletely understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanisms of cytoskeletal regional specialization during drug-synchronized monopolar cytokinesis in HeLa cells.
- To elucidate the role of feedback loops in symmetry breaking and polarization.
Main Methods:
- Drug-synchronized monopolar cytokinesis in HeLa cells.
- Analysis of microtubule and F-actin dynamics.
- Assessment of RhoA, Myosin II, and Aurora B kinase activity.
Main Results:
- Initially radially symmetric cytoskeleton breaks symmetry, polarizing microtubules and cell cortex.
- Cortical furrow markers concentrate into a cap.
- Polarization depends on microtubules, F-actin, RhoA, Myosin II, and Aurora B kinase.
- Aurora B localizes to actin cables, suggesting communication.
Conclusions:
- Feedback loops between cortical furrow components and microtubules promote symmetry breaking.
- These mechanisms contribute to regional specialization of the cytoskeleton during monopolar and bipolar cytokinesis.
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