Regulation of contractile ring formation and septation in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Willet, Alaina H; McDonald, Nathan A; Gould, Kathleen L
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in microbiology. Volume 28(2015)
• Page Start: 46
• Page End: 52
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Microbiology -- Periodicals; 579.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2015.08.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-5274

Abstract

Highlights: Hierarchical protein recruitment is not essential for forming the contractile ring. Profilin allows formins to compete with Arp2/3 for G-actin. Septum formation prevents contractile ring sliding. Septum formation contributes an essential force for cell division. Abstract : The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe has become a powerful model organism for cytokinesis studies, propelled by pioneering genetic screens in the 1980s and 1990s. S. pombe cells are rod-shaped and divide similarly to mammalian cells, utilizing a medially-placed actin-and myosin-based contractile ring. A cell wall division septum is deposited behind the constricting ring, forming the new ends of each daughter cell. Here we discuss recent advances in our understanding of the regulation of contractile ring formation through formin proteins and the role of the division septum in S. pombe cell division.