Characterization of Mid1 domains for targeting and scaffolding in fission yeast cytokinesis

J Cell Sci. 2012 Jun 15;125(Pt 12):2973-85. doi: 10.1242/jcs.102574. Epub 2012 Mar 16.

Abstract

Division-site selection and contractile-ring assembly are two crucial steps in cytokinesis. In fission yeast, the anillin-like Mid1 protein specifies the division site at the cell equator by assembling cortical nodes, the precursors of the contractile ring. Thus, Mid1 is essential for linking the positional cues for the cleavage site to contractile-ring formation. However, how Mid1 domains cooperate to regulate cytokinesis is poorly understood. Here we unravel the functions of different Mid1 domains (motifs) by a series of truncations. We report that the conserved PH domain stabilizes Mid1 in nodes by binding to lipids and is required for Mid1 cortical localization during interphase in the absence of Cdr2 kinase. Mid1 lacking an internal region that is approximately one third of the full-length protein has higher nuclear and cortical concentration and suppresses the division-site positioning defects in cells with a deletion of the dual-specificity tyrosine-regulated kinase Pom1. The N-terminus of Mid1 physically interacts with cytokinesis node proteins. When fused to cortical node protein Cdr2, Mid1(1-100) is sufficient to assemble cytokinesis nodes and the contractile ring. Collectively, our study recognizes domains regulating Mid1 cortical localization and reveals domains sufficient for contractile-ring assembly.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Cytokinesis*
  • Nuclear Matrix / genetics
  • Nuclear Matrix / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Protein Transport
  • Schizosaccharomyces / chemistry
  • Schizosaccharomyces / cytology*
  • Schizosaccharomyces / genetics
  • Schizosaccharomyces / metabolism*
  • Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins / chemistry*
  • Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins / genetics
  • Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Mid1 protein, S pombe
  • Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins
  • Cdr2 protein, S pombe
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases