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Spatiotemporal Analysis of Cytokinetic Events in Fission Yeast
Published on: February 20, 2017
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Cell size sets the diameter of the budding yeast contractile ring
I V Kukhtevich1, N Lohrberg1, F Padovani1
1Institute of Functional Epigenetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764, Neuherberg, Germany.
Nature Communications
|June 13, 2020
Summary
Cell size influences the diameter of the septin ring, a key structure in cell division. This finding reveals a new mechanism for organelle size control in budding yeast.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Cellular organelles require precise size regulation for proper function.
- Mechanisms controlling organelle size, such as the septin ring in budding yeast, remain poorly understood.
- The septin ring at the bud neck is a model for self-assembling biological structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanisms controlling the size of the septin ring at the bud neck.
- To determine if cell volume influences septin ring diameter.
- To elucidate the role of cell volume in septin ring size homeostasis.
Main Methods:
- Live-cell imaging techniques were employed to observe septin ring dynamics.
- Genetic manipulation of cell volume was performed in budding yeast.
- Analysis of cell ploidy and cell polarization was conducted.
Main Results:
- Septin ring diameter was found to increase proportionally with cell volume.
- Cell volume was identified as a primary determinant of septin ring size.
- This cell-volume dependence explained size variations caused by ploidy and polarization changes.
Conclusions:
- Septin ring size is regulated by cell volume, suggesting a broader principle for organelle size control.
- The dynamic interplay between septin recruitment and Cdc42 polarization governs ring diameter.
- The septin ring serves as a model for understanding size homeostasis in self-assembling organelles.
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