To study centrosome motility and the interaction of microtubules with the cell cortex in mitotic, post-mitotic and interphase cells, (alpha)-tubulin was tagged in Dictyostelium discoideum with green fluorescent protein. Multinucleate cells formed by myosin II-null mutants proved to be especially suited for the analysis of the control of cleavage furrow formation by the microtubule system. After docking of the mitotic apparatus onto the cell cortex during anaphase, the cell surface is activated to form ruffles on top of the asters of microtubules that emanate from the centrosomes. Cleavage furrows are initiated at spaces between the asters independently of the positions of spindles. Once initiated, the furrows expand as deep folds without a continued connection to the microtubule system. Occurrence of unilateral furrows indicates that a closed contractile ring is dispensable for cytokinesis in Dictyostelium. The progression of cytokinesis in the multinucleate cells underlines the importance of proteins other than myosin II in specifying a cleavage furrow. The analysis of centrosome motility suggests a major role for a minus-end directed motor protein, probably cytoplasmic dynein, in applying traction forces on guiding microtubules that connect the centrosome with the cell cortex.
Microtubule-mediated centrosome motility and the positioning of cleavage furrows in multinucleate myosin II-null cells
R. Neujahr, R. Albrecht, J. Kohler, M. Matzner, J.M. Schwartz, M. Westphal, G. Gerisch; Microtubule-mediated centrosome motility and the positioning of cleavage furrows in multinucleate myosin II-null cells. J Cell Sci 1 May 1998; 111 (9): 1227–1240. doi: https://doi.org/10.1242/jcs.111.9.1227
Download citation file:
Advertisement
Cited by
2021 JCS Prize winner announced
-JCSPrize.png?versionId=3749)
We are pleased to announce that the winner of the 2021 JCS Prize is Lee Dolat for his paper entitled ‘An endometrial organoid model of interactions between Chlamydia and epithelial and immune cells’.
Propose a new Workshop
-GSWorkshop.png?versionId=3749)
Our Workshops bring together leading experts and early-career researchers from a range of scientific backgrounds. Applications are now open to propose Workshops for 2024, one of which will be held in a Global South country.
Cell scientist to watch: Christian Münch
-CSTW.png?versionId=3749)
Journal of Cell Science interviewed Christian Münch, who established his independent research group in 2016 at Goethe University Frankfurt. His lab studies cellular stress responses to mitochondrial protein misfolding, infection and disease, as well as developing proteomics methods.
Essay series: Equity, diversity and inclusion in cell biology
-EssaySeries.png?versionId=3749)
The JCS Essay Series is an initiative to help showcase and provide a platform for voices in the field of cell biology. The first topic we covered was 'Equity, diversity and inclusion in cell biology', and the winning and runner up essays are now available to read.
FocalPlane Network launched
-FocalPlaneNetworkLaunch.png?versionId=3749)
We are excited to announce the launch of the FocalPlane Network, an international directory of microscopists. The idea behind the FocalPlane Network is to facilitate promotion and networking as well as assist those seeking conference speakers, committee members, reviewers or collaborators. We hope that it will help promote diversity in the community. Find out more and join the Network here.