Cell shape and cell division in fission yeast

Curr Biol. 2009 Sep 15;19(17):R823-7. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2009.08.012.

Abstract

The fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe has served as an important model organism for investigating cellular morphogenesis. This unicellular rod-shaped fission yeast grows by tip extension and divides by medial fission. In particular, microtubules appear to define sites of polarized cell growth by delivering cell polarity factors to the cell tips. Microtubules also position the cell nucleus at the cell middle, marking sites of cell division. Here, we review the microtubule-dependent mechanisms that regulate cell shape and cell division in fission yeast.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biological Transport
  • Cell Division*
  • Cell Enlargement
  • Cell Polarity
  • Cell Shape*
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Cytoskeleton / physiology
  • Cytoskeleton / ultrastructure
  • Microtubules / metabolism
  • Microtubules / physiology
  • Microtubules / ultrastructure
  • Models, Biological
  • Schizosaccharomyces / cytology*