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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Multinucleate cells in Dictyostelium discoideum typically divide via unilateral cleavage furrows.
  • These furrows ingress from the cell border, following myosin II and cortexillin-rich regions, avoiding spindle pole microtubule asters.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mechanism of a rare, hole-forming ring-shaped furrow observed in a Dictyostelium discoideum mutant.
  • To elucidate the two-phase development and molecular associations of these ring-shaped furrows.

Main Methods:

  • Microscopy of Dictyostelium discoideum mutants exhibiting ring-shaped furrows.
  • Analysis of cell cortex organization, membrane-substrate detachment, and membrane fusion.
  • Investigation of the association with myosin II and cortexillin.

Main Results:

  • Ring-shaped furrows initiate in the cell center, expanding outwards without contacting the periphery.
  • The process occurs in two phases: an initial reversible apposition of cortices and substrate detachment, followed by membrane fusion and hole expansion.
  • These furrows interact with lateral furrows and involve filamentous myosin II and cortexillin.

Conclusions:

  • Ring-shaped furrow formation is a distinct mode of cell division in Dictyostelium discoideum.
  • Despite geometrical differences, similar molecular mechanisms involving myosin II and cortexillin likely link ring-shaped furrows to standard contractile rings.