Nuf, a Rab11 effector, maintains cytokinetic furrow integrity by promoting local actin polymerization

J Cell Biol. 2008 Jul 28;182(2):301-13. doi: 10.1083/jcb.200712036. Epub 2008 Jul 21.

Abstract

Plasma membrane ingression during cytokinesis involves both actin remodeling and vesicle-mediated membrane addition. Vesicle-based membrane delivery from the recycling endosome (RE) has an essential but ill-defined involvement in cytokinesis. In the Drosophila melanogaster early embryo, Nuf (Nuclear fallout), a Rab11 effector which is essential for RE function, is required for F-actin and membrane integrity during furrow ingression. We find that in nuf mutant embryos, an initial loss of F-actin at the furrow is followed by loss of the associated furrow membrane. Wild-type embryos treated with Latrunculin A or Rho inhibitor display similar defects. Drug- or Rho-GTP-induced increase of actin polymerization or genetically mediated decrease of actin depolymerization suppresses the nuf mutant F-actin and membrane defects. We also find that RhoGEF2 does not properly localize at the furrow in nuf mutant embryos and that RhoGEF2-Rho1 pathway components show strong specific genetic interactions with Nuf. We propose a model in which RE-derived vesicles promote furrow integrity by regulating the rate of actin polymerization through the RhoGEF2-Rho1 pathway.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Actin Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Actin Cytoskeleton / ultrastructure
  • Actins / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Cell Membrane Structures / genetics
  • Cell Membrane Structures / metabolism
  • Cell Membrane Structures / ultrastructure
  • Cytokinesis / genetics
  • Cytokinesis / physiology*
  • Cytoplasmic Vesicles / metabolism
  • Cytoplasmic Vesicles / ultrastructure
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / embryology*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / metabolism
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / metabolism*
  • Embryonic Development / physiology
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / genetics
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors / metabolism
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / genetics
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Polymers / metabolism
  • Protein Synthesis Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Actins
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Polymers
  • Protein Synthesis Inhibitors
  • Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors
  • nuf protein, Drosophila
  • rab11 protein
  • Rho1 protein, Drosophila
  • rab GTP-Binding Proteins
  • rho GTP-Binding Proteins