Epithelial cell division – multiplying without losing touch

Abstract

Epithelia are compact tissues comprising juxtaposed cells that function as mechanical and chemical barriers between the body and the environment. This barrier relies, in part, on adhesive contacts within adherens junctions, which are formed and stabilized by Ecadherin and catenin proteins linked to the actomyosin cytoskeleton. During development and throughout adult life, epithelia are continuously growing or regenerating, largely as a result of cell division. Although persistence of adherens junctions is needed for epithelial integrity, these junctions are continually remodelled during cell division. In this Commentary, we will focus on cytokinesis, the final step of mitosis, a multiparty phenomenon in which the adherens junction belt plays an essential role and during which a new cell-cell interface is generated between daughter cells. This new interface is the site of intense remodelling, where new adhesive contacts are assembled and cell polarity is transmitted from mother to daughter cells, ultimately becoming the site of cell signalling.

Eph-mediated tyrosine phosphorylation of citron kinase controls abscission

“…In solid organs, dividing cells are part of tissues, and recent studies suggest that in addition to intracellular events, successful cytokinesis requires coordination with extracellular processes (Herszterg et al, 2014; Le Bras and Le Borgne, 2014). For instance, cooperation between dividing cells and their neighbors is necessary to remodel cell adhesion during cytokinesis while maintaining tissue cohesiveness (Founounou et al, 2013; Guillot and Lecuit, 2013; Herszterg et al, 2013).…”

Actomyosin-generated tension on cadherin is similar between dividing and non-dividing epithelial cells in early Xenopus laevis embryos

“…It has been intensively investigated in drosophila17181920, but the mechanisms by which this process is driven, in term of molecular tension and membrane deformation, are not well understood2122. Is cadherin stretched by actomyosin at adherens junction to create membrane tension and deformation?…”

Connections between cadherin-catenin proteins, spindle misorientation, and cancer

“…68,69 This has been better defined during cytokinesis and abscission of the 2 nascent daughter cells. In Drosophila, it has been observed that the levels of AJs are reduced at the cleavage furrow of dividing cells.…”