Mechanics and regulation of cytokinetic abscission

Abstract

Cytokinetic abscission leads to the physical cut of the intercellular bridge (ICB) connecting the daughter cells and concludes cell division. In different animal cells, it is well established that the ESCRT-III machinery is responsible for the constriction and scission of the ICB. Here, we review the mechanical context of abscission. We first summarize the evidence that the ICB is initially under high tension and explain why, paradoxically, this can inhibit abscission in epithelial cells by impacting on ESCRT-III assembly. We next detail the different mechanisms that have been recently identified to release ICB tension and trigger abscission. Finally, we discuss whether traction-induced mechanical cell rupture could represent an ancient alternative mechanism of abscission and suggest future research avenues to further understand the role of mechanics in regulating abscission.

Cell intrinsic mechanical regulation of plasma membrane accumulation at the cytokinetic furrow

“…The local changes in membrane accumulation and tension can impact several cellular processes. Most notably, decreased membrane tension at the intercellular bridge facilitates the recruitment of the abscission machinery and the completion of cell division (7,(9)(10)(11)(12)(13). We propose that the plasma membrane accumulation at the furrow acts as a mechanism to support the completion of cytokinesis.…”

“…High tension in the intercellular bridge inhibits or delays cell abscission by hindering proper assembly and function of the abscission machinery. This is mediated, at least in part, by tension in the plasma membrane (7,(9)(10)(11)(12)(13), suggesting that cytokinetic fidelity would benefit from accumulation of plasma membrane at the cytokinetic furrow. However, except for exocytosis at the cytokinetic furrow that primarily occurs in late cytokinesis (14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20), little is known about the dynamics and the regulation of the plasma membrane during cytokinesis.…”

“…High tension in the intercellular bridge inhibits or delays cell abscission by hindering proper assembly and function of the abscission machinery. This is mediated, at least in part, by tension in the plasma membrane (7,(9)(10)(11)(12)(13), suggesting that cytokinetic fidelity would benefit from accumulation of plasma membrane at the cytokinetic furrow. However, while extensive efforts have been dedicated to study cytoskeletal organization and cell signaling during cytokinesis, (reviewed in (2)(3)(4)(5)(6)), significantly less is known about cytokinetic plasma membrane dynamics and the mechanisms impacting these dynamics (14).…”

Discovery and Anticancer Activity of the Plagiochilins from the Liverwort Genus Plagiochila

“…This process leads to the physical cut of the intercellular bridge which connects two daughter cells and concludes cell division. The process is tightly regulated in cells, with intervention of multiple protein effectors including different kinases (e.g., PLK4, Aurora B) and proteins containing microtubule-interacting and trafficking (MIT) domains [ 60 , 61 , 62 ]. The process opens perspectives to comprehend the mechanism of action of plagiochilin A. the compound may target MIT-containing proteins, or more directly it may associate with alpha-tubulin during mitosis, for example.…”

PRC domain-containing proteins modulate FtsZ-based archaeal cell division

“…In well-studied organisms, this process is known to be executed by many proteins working together to ensure proper division. For example, in bacteria, division is organized by the cell division protein and tubulin homolog FtsZ (1), whereas eukaryotic cells divide using proteins of the ESCRT-system (endosomal sorting complex required for transport) for final abscission (2). Interestingly, in Archaea, both FtsZ-and ESCRT III-based cell division systems exist (3, 4).…”