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The postmitotic midbody: Regulating polarity, stemness, and proliferation.

Eric Peterman¹, Rytis Prekeris²

¹Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO.

The Journal of Cell Biology

|November 7, 2019

Summary

The midbody orchestrates cell division completion (abscission) and has emerging roles in cell polarity, tumorigenicity, and stemness after division.

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Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Molecular Biology
Biochemistry

Background:

Abscission, the final stage of cell division, involves complex cytoskeleton and membrane dynamics.
The midbody, a structure formed during cytokinesis, is crucial for regulating these events.
Traditionally viewed as transient, the midbody is now recognized for postmitotic functions.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the midbody's role in orchestrating abscission.
To discuss the emerging field of postabscission midbody biology.
To explore the midbody's potential regulation of cell polarity, tumorigenicity, and stemness.

Main Methods:

Literature review of abscission and midbody biology.
Analysis of recent findings on postmitotic midbody functions.
Synthesis of current understanding and future directions.

Main Results:

The midbody acts as a signaling platform coordinating cytoskeleton and endosomal dynamics during abscission.
Post-abscission, the midbody influences cell polarity.
The midbody's functions may be linked to cell tumorigenicity and stemness.

Conclusions:

The midbody is essential for successful cell division completion.
Emerging evidence highlights the midbody's significant postmitotic roles.
Further research into postabscission midbody functions could reveal new therapeutic targets.