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Progressive loss of RacGAP1/ogre activity has sequential effects on cytokinesis and zebrafish development.
Rachel M Warga1, April Wicklund1, Sarah E Webster1
1Department of Biological Sciences, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI 49008, USA.
Developmental Biology
|June 25, 2016
Summary
RacGAP1 protein is crucial for cell division (cytokinesis) in zebrafish. Loss of RacGAP1 function in the ogre mutant causes progressive failure in cell division, leading to multinucleated cells and apoptosis.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- RacGAP1 is a key component of the centralspindlin complex.
- Cytokinesis is essential for animal cell division.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of RacGAP1 in zebrafish development.
- To characterize the ogre mutant, a loss-of-function mutation in the zebrafish racgap1 gene.
Main Methods:
- Zebrafish genetics and mutagenesis.
- In vivo cell imaging and recordings.
- Analysis of cell division, differentiation, and apoptosis.
Main Results:
- The ogre mutation disrupts racgap1 function, leading to cytokinesis defects.
- Progressive failure observed: abscission, cleavage furrow ingression, and furrow formation.
- Multinucleated cells form, with many undergoing apoptosis due to failed cytokinesis.
- RacGAP1 also plays a role in motoneuron survival and sensory axon organization.
Conclusions:
- RacGAP1 is essential for multiple stages of cytokinesis in zebrafish.
- Defects in cytokinesis due to RacGAP1 loss can lead to apoptosis.
- RacGAP1 has additional roles in neuronal survival and cytoskeletal organization.
