Cytokinesis and cancer

Abstract

a b s t r a c tCytokinesis is the final stage of cell division during which the two daughter cells separate completely. Although less well understood than some of the earlier phases of the cell cycle, recent discoveries have shed light on the mechanisms that orchestrate this process, including cleavage furrow formation, midbody maturation and abscission. One of the reasons why research on cytokinesis has been attracting increasing attention is the concept that failure of this process in mammals is associated with carcinogenesis. In this minireview, we will discuss the possible links between cytokinesis and cancer, and highlight key mechanisms that connect these processes.

Dynamics of endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) machinery during cytokinesis and its role in abscission

“…M embrane severing of the thin, microtubule-enriched intercellular bridge connecting the two daughter cells at the end of cytokinesis, termed "abscission," is thought to be regulated at the midbody, a highly dense structure at the center of the intercellular bridge (1)(2)(3)(4)(5). Despite the abundance of factors localized to the midbody and known to be necessary for abscission (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6), the mechanism for mediating the final scission event remains unclear. One family of factors that has been suggested to be involved is the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) machinery (3,7).…”

A cancer-associated mutation inactivates a region of the high-mobility group protein HMG20b essential for cytokinesis

“…Surprisingly, whereas there is growing insight into the molecules and mechanisms involved in contractile ring formation, cell cleavage and abscission during mitosis, few of these mechanisms have so far been connected to human carcinogenesis. 7,8 Here, we report evidence that implicates HMG20b, a ubiquitously expressed protein of uncertain function, in tumor suppression through an essential role performed by its carboxyl (C)-terminal region in cytokinesis. HMG20b was first isolated as a member of the high-mobility group (HMG) of non-sequencespecific DNA binding proteins, 9 contains an N-terminal HMG domain and a C-terminal coiled-coil region.…”

Emerging roles of MICAL family proteins – from actin oxidation to membrane trafficking during cytokinesis

“…Cytokinesis begins after chromosome segregation with the formation of a cleavage furrow at the equatorial region. This process involves large-scale deformations of the plasma membrane and is driven by a contractile ring consisting of F-actin and myosin II (Fededa and Gerlich, 2012;Green et al, 2012;Sagona and Stenmark, 2010). After completion of furrowing, the two daughter cells are connected by a microtubule-filled intercellular bridge, which is eventually cut by a mechanism named abscission (Mierzwa and Gerlich, 2014).…”