Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group

Papers in Scientific Journals

Extracellular cell wall β(1,3)glucan is required to couple septation to actomyosin ring contraction

Abstract

Cytokinesis has been extensively studied in different models, but the role of the extracellular cell wall is less understood. Here we studied this process in fission yeast. The essential protein Bgs4 synthesizes the main cell wall β(1,3)glucan. We show that Bgs4-derived β(1,3)glucan is required for correct and stable actomyosin ring positioning in the cell middle, before the start of septum formation and anchorage to the cell wall. Consequently, β(1,3)glucan loss generated ring sliding, oblique positioned rings and septa, misdirected septum synthesis indicative of relaxed rings, and uncoupling between a fast ring and membrane ingression and slow septum synthesis, suggesting that cytokinesis can progress with defective septum pushing and/or ring pulling forces. Moreover, Bgs4-derived β(1,3)glucan is essential for secondary septum formation and correct primary septum completion. Therefore, our results show that extracellular β(1,3)glucan is required for cytokinesis to connect the cell wall with the plasma membrane and for contractile ring function, as proposed for the equivalent extracellular matrix in animal cells.

Journal
Journal of Cell Biology
Volume
203
Issue
2
Pagination
265-282
Publisher
The Rockefeller University Press
ISSN
1540-8140
URL
http://jcb.rupress.org/content/203/2/265.full.pdf+html
Keywords
3)glucan, Fission yeast, septum, β(1
Rights
Restricted Access
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Status
published
Year of Publication
2013
DOI
10.1083/jcb.201304132
Date Published
2013-10-28
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