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Spatiotemporal Analysis of Cytokinetic Events in Fission Yeast
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An interphase contractile ring reshapes primordial germ cells to allow bulk cytoplasmic remodeling
Chelsea Maniscalco1, Allison E Hall1, Jeremy Nance1,2
1Skirball Institute of Biomolecular Medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY.
The Journal of Cell Biology
|December 11, 2019
Summary
Primordial germ cells (PGCs) in Caenorhabditis elegans form cellular lobes to discard components. This process uses contractile ring elements, regulated by ECT-2 and NOP-1, but not centralspindlin, revealing novel cellular remodeling mechanisms.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Cells eliminate unwanted components via large, transient compartments.
- Caenorhabditis elegans primordial germ cells (PGCs) extrude cytoplasm and mitochondria into a lobe for elimination by intestinal cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying lobe formation in PGCs.
- To understand how contractile ring components are repurposed for cellular remodeling during interphase.
Main Methods:
- Utilized genetic screens and live imaging in Caenorhabditis elegans.
- Investigated the roles of ECT-2, NOP-1, and centralspindlin in PGC lobe formation.
Main Results:
- PGC lobe formation is driven by a contractile ring requiring the RhoGEF ECT-2.
- NOP-1, an ECT-2 regulator, is essential for lobe formation, while centralspindlin is not.
- The PGC nucleus appears to spatially regulate contractile ring assembly.
Conclusions:
- Contractile ring components are reemployed during interphase for cellular remodeling.
- Spatial cues, including nuclear positioning, dictate contractile ring formation sites for specific cellular processes.
- This study reveals novel mechanisms of cellular compartmentalization and recycling in PGCs.
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