Endocytic traffic in animal cell cytokinesis

Curr Opin Cell Biol. 2008 Aug;20(4):454-61. doi: 10.1016/j.ceb.2008.03.011. Epub 2008 May 28.

Abstract

Cytokinesis is the final step of mitosis whereby two daughter cells physically separate. It is initiated by the assembly of an actomyosin contractile ring at the mitotic cell equator, which constricts the cytoplasm between the two reforming nuclei resulting in the formation of a narrow intercellular bridge filled with central spindle microtubule bundles. Cytokinesis terminates with the cleavage of the intercellular bridge in a poorly understood process called abscission. Recent work has highlighted the importance of membrane trafficking events occurring from membrane compartments flanking the bridge to the central midbody region. In particular, polarized delivery of endocytic recycling membranes is essential for completion of animal cell cytokinesis. Why endocytic traffic occurs within the intercellular bridge remains largely mysterious and its significance for cytokinesis will be discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cellular Structures
  • Cytokinesis / physiology*
  • Endocytosis / physiology*
  • Mitosis
  • Spindle Apparatus
  • Transport Vesicles / metabolism*