Spatial control of cytokinesis through regulation of microtubule dynamics

• Project/Area Number: 25840070
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Cell biology
• Research Institution: Hokkaido University
• Principal Investigator: UEHARA Ryota 北海道大学, 創成研究機構, 特任助教 (20580020)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2014)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,550,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,050,000); Fiscal Year 2014: ¥1,300,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,000,000、Indirect Cost: ¥300,000); Fiscal Year 2013: ¥3,250,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥750,000)
• Keywords: 細胞質分裂 / 微小管 / アクチン / 細胞分裂 / 細胞骨格 / 中央紡錘体

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Precise control of cell division is essential for securing biological processes of heredity and homeostasis. However, molecular mechanisms of spatiotemporal regulation of cell division remain largely unknown. In this project, we looked into microtubule dynamics during cell division phase in human cultured cells, and aimed to elucidate their contributions to the determination of division sites within dividing cells. We found that Kif2A, a microtubule depolymerizing protein plays a pivotal role in microtubule length control within the central spindle, which segregates the two masses of the sister chromosomes in an appropriate distance. We also found that augmin, a regulator of central spindle microtubule generation mediates accumulation of cytokinesis regulators to the equatorial cortex, which is essential for efficient furrow ingression. Our results shed light on new mechanisms of cell division control through dynamic reorganizations of microtubules during cytokinesis.

Research Products

• [Journal Article] Aurora B and Kif2A control microtubule length for assembly of a functional central spindle during anaphase. (2013)
  • Author(s): Uehara, R, Tsukada, Y., Kamasaki, T., Poser, I., Yoda, K., Gerlich, D.W., and Goshima, G.
  • Journal Title: Journal of Cell Biology Volume: 202 Issue: 4 Pages: 623-636
  • DOI: 10.1083/jcb.201302123
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] 紡錘体微小管の生成メカニズムに関する微細構造学的解析 (2013)
  • Author(s): 釜崎とも子・上原亮太
  • Journal Title: 顕微鏡 Volume: 第48巻 Pages: 90-93
  • NAID: 10031194752
• [Journal Article] 動物と植物におけるオーグミンの分裂期スピンドル形成への寄与 (2013)
  • Author(s): 中岡由貴・上原亮太
  • Journal Title: 細胞工学 Volume: 32 Pages: 263-268
• [Presentation] 動物細胞における中央紡錘体の形成・形態制御機構 (2014)
  • Author(s): 上原亮太
  • Organizer: 第66回日本細胞生物学会大会 シンポジウム
  • Place of Presentation: 奈良県新公会堂 奈良市
  • Invited
• [Presentation] 細胞生物学的手法と数理モデルを用いた細胞質分裂制御の解析 (2013)
  • Author(s): 上原亮太、塚田祐基
  • Organizer: 第6回 定量生物学会年会
  • Place of Presentation: 大阪大学銀杏会館 吹田市
  • Invited
• [Presentation] Aurora BとKif2Aによる微小管の長さ制御を介した細胞質分裂制御の仕組み (2013)
  • Author(s): 上原亮太、塚田祐基、釜崎とも子、五島剛太
  • Organizer: 第65回 日本細胞生物学会大会 シンポジウム
  • Place of Presentation: ウインクあいち 名古屋市
  • Invited