Spatial and temporal regulation of cytokinesis is essential for cell division, yet the mechanisms that control the formation and constriction of the contractile ring are incompletely understood. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe proteins that contribute to the cytokinetic contractile ring accumulate during interphase in nodes-precursor structures around the equatorial cortex. Durin...

Electron microscopic evidence demonstrated that dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) induces formation of giant intranuclear microfilament bundles in the interphase nucleus of a cellular slime mold, Dictyostelium. These giant bundles are approximately giant bundles are approximately 3 micrometer long, 0.85 micrometer wide, and composed of microfilaments 6 nm in diameter. Studies in which glycerinated cell...

Schizosaccharomyces pombe cdc15 homology (PCH) family members participate in many cellular processes by bridging the plasma membrane and cytoskeleton. Their F-BAR domains bind and curve membranes, whereas other domains, typically SH3 domains, are expected to provide cytoskeletal links. We tested this prevailing model of functional division in the founding member of the family, Cdc15, which is e...

It is well known fact that enteric nervous system plays a major role in regulation of contractile functions of intestinal smooth muscle. A number of neurotransmitters (excitatory/inhibitory) including Acetylcholine (ACh), Histamine, Serotonin, NO, Substance P, Bombesin, Motilin, ATP, VIP, Met-encephalin and Leu-encephalin, Polypeptide Y, Somatostatin are involved in gastrointestinal (GIT) motil...

During anaphase, distinct populations of microtubules (MTs) form by either centrosome-dependent or augmin-dependent nucleation. It remains largely unknown whether these different MT populations contribute distinct functions to cytokinesis. Here we show that augmin-dependent MTs are required for the progression of both furrow ingression and abscission. Augmin depletion reduced the accumulation o...

Cytokinesis of animal cells requires ingression of the actomyosin-based contractile ring between segregated sister genomes. Localization of the RhoGEF Ect2 to the central spindle at anaphase promotes local activation of the RhoA GTPase, which induces assembly and ingression of the contractile ring. Here we have used BI 2536, an inhibitor of the mitotic kinase Plk1, to analyze the functions of t...

Are there homologues outside of metazoa? In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe there are two anillin-like proteins, Mid1p and Mid2p, which have nonoverlapping functions. Mid1p is a key regulator of cytokinesis, orchestrating contractile ring positioning and assembly. Mid2p has a less essential role, acting later in cytokinesis to organize septins during septation. Budding yeast (Saccha...