Molecular mechanism of plasma membrane deformation during cell division.

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K14501
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• 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)
• Research Collaborator: HIRUMA Shota 北海道大学, 生命科学院
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 細胞質分裂 / 細胞膜 / 細胞骨格

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Precisely controlled actin-membrane interactions are required for animal cytokinesis. We investigated the dynamics and functions of ERM (Ezrin/Radixin/Moesin) proteins in control of cytokinesis in human cells. We found that stable association of ezrin to the furrow depended on cholesterol, but not on RhoA. Depletion of ERMs significantly changed the kinetics of furrow ingression but did not drastically affect the accuracy of cytokinesis. Notably, however, in the background of anillin and supervillin co-depletion, ezrin became drastically accumulated at the furrow and substantially contributed to the furrow ingression activity. The ERM-driven cleavage furrow in the anillin- and supervillin-depleted cells was narrower than that in unperturbed cells, suggesting characteristic mechanical property of ERM in inducing cell deformation. These results provide insight into cooperative regulatory system of actin-membrane interaction featuring multiple linkers with distinct molecular properties.

Free Research Field

細胞生物学