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Updated: Feb 23, 2026

Spatiotemporal Analysis of Cytokinetic Events in Fission Yeast
Published on: February 20, 2017
Dynamics and function of ERM proteins during cytokinesis in human cells
Shota Hiruma1, Tomoko Kamasaki2, Kohei Otomo3
1Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University, Japan.
Abstract:
The molecular mechanism that governs cytoskeleton-membrane interaction during animal cytokinesis remains elusive. Here, we investigated the dynamics and functions of ERM (Ezrin/Radixin/Moesin) proteins during cytokinesis in human cultured cells. We found that ezrin is recruited to the cleavage furrow through its membrane-associated domain in a cholesterol-dependent but largely Rho-independent manner. While ERMs are dispensable for furrow ingression, they play a pivotal role in contractile activity of the polar cortex. Notably, when anillin and supervillin are codepleted, ERMs increasingly accumulate at the cleavage furrow and substantially contribute to the furrow ingression. These results reveal a supportive role of ERMs in cortical activities during cytokinesis, and also provide insight into the selective mechanism that preferentially associates cytokinesis-relevant proteins with the division site.
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