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DYN-1 regulates SPD-2 and PLK-1 localization and mitotic spindle pole organization.
Carter Dierlam1, Stephanie Held2, Jiya Hastings2
1Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland College Park, College Park, MD 20742.
Molecular Biology of the Cell
|February 18, 2026
Summary
The dynamin homolog DYN-1 regulates spindle assembly and key mitotic protein localization in C. elegans. This study reveals DYN-1
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Accurate mitosis is crucial for maintaining genome stability.
- Dynamin's role in mitosis is largely unknown, despite its known function in vesicular trafficking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the function of the C. elegans dynamin homolog, DYN-1, during mitosis.
- To determine DYN-1's role in spindle assembly and the localization of mitotic regulators.
Main Methods:
- Depletion of DYN-1 in C. elegans embryos.
- Analysis of spindle pole organization and centrosomal localization of SPD-2 and PLK-1.
- Assays using the dyn-1(ky51) allele to assess DYN-1-mediated vesicular trafficking.
Main Results:
- DYN-1 depletion leads to enlarged metaphase spindle poles.
- Increased centrosomal levels of SPD-2 and PLK-1 were observed upon DYN-1 depletion.
- Altered PLK-1 midbody localization and midbody assembly defects occurred in a subset of DYN-1-depleted embryos.
Conclusions:
- DYN-1 is a novel regulator of spindle pole organization during mitosis.
- DYN-1 plays a role in the early stages of midbody assembly.
- DYN-1's functions in mitosis are linked to its role in vesicular trafficking.
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