Polar actomyosin contractility destabilizes the position of the cytokinetic furrow
Sedzinski J, Biro M, Oswald A, Tinevez JY, Salbreux G, Paluch E (2011)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2011
Journal
Book Volume: 476
Pages Range: 462-468
Journal Issue: 7361
DOI: 10.1038/nature10286
Abstract
Cytokinesis, the physical separation of daughter cells at the end of mitosis, requires precise regulation of the mechanical properties of the cell periphery. Although studies of cytokinetic mechanics mostly focus on the equatorial constriction ring, a contractile actomyosin cortex is also present at the poles of dividing cells. Whether polar forces influence cytokinetic cell shape and furrow positioning remains an open question. Here we demonstrate that the polar cortex makes cytokinesis inherently unstable. We show that limited asymmetric polar contractions occur during cytokinesis, and that perturbing the polar cortex leads to cell shape oscillations, resulting in furrow displacement and aneuploidy. A theoretical model based on a competition between cortex turnover and contraction dynamics accurately accounts for the oscillations. We further propose that membrane blebs, which commonly form at the poles of dividing cells and whose role in cytokinesis has long been enigmatic, stabilize cell shape by acting as valves releasing cortical contractility. Our findings reveal an inherent instability in the shape of the dividing cell and unveil a novel, spindle-independent mechanism ensuring the stability of cleavage furrow positioning. © 2011 Macmillan Publishers Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Involved external institutions
Max-Planck-Institut für molekulare Zellbiologie und Genetik / Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG)
Germany (DE)
Max-Planck-Institut für Physik komplexer Systeme (MPI PKS) / Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems
Germany (DE)
Germany (DE)
Max-Planck-Institut für Physik komplexer Systeme (MPI PKS) / Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems
Germany (DE)
How to cite
APA:
Sedzinski, J., Biro, M., Oswald, A., Tinevez, J.Y., Salbreux, G., & Paluch, E. (2011). Polar actomyosin contractility destabilizes the position of the cytokinetic furrow. Nature, 476(7361), 462-468. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature10286
MLA:
Sedzinski, Jakub, et al. "Polar actomyosin contractility destabilizes the position of the cytokinetic furrow." Nature 476.7361 (2011): 462-468.
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