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Updated: Feb 2, 2026

Author Spotlight: Image-Based Methods to Study Membrane Trafficking Events in Stomatal Lineage Cells
Published on: May 12, 2023
Molecular mechanisms of contractile-ring constriction and membrane trafficking in cytokinesis
Kenneth S Gerien1,2, Jian-Qiu Wu3,4
1Department of Molecular Genetics, Columbus, OH, USA.
Abstract:
In this review, we discuss the molecular mechanisms of cytokinesis from plants to humans, with a focus on contribution of membrane trafficking to cytokinesis. Selection of the division site in fungi, metazoans, and plants is reviewed, as well as the assembly and constriction of a contractile ring in fungi and metazoans. We also provide an introduction to exocytosis and endocytosis, and discuss how they contribute to successful cytokinesis in eukaryotic cells. The conservation in the coordination of membrane deposition and cytoskeleton during cytokinesis in fungi, metazoans, and plants is highlighted.
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