Anillin and the microtubule bundler PRC1 maintain myosin in the contractile ring to ensure completion of cytokinesis

Cytokinesis is the last step of cell division, when one cell physically divides into two cells. Cytokinesis is driven by an equatorial contractile ring and signals from antiparallel microtubule bundles (the central spindle) that form between the two masses of segregating chromosomes. Bundling of central spindle microtubules is essential for cytokinesis in cultured cells. Using a temperature-sensitive mutant of SPD-1, the homolog of the microtubule bundler PRC1, we demonstrate that SPD-1 is required for robust cytokinesis in the Caenorhabditis elegans early embryo. SPD-1 inhibition results in broadening of the contractile ring, creating an elongated intercellular bridge between sister cells at the last stages of ring constriction that fails to seal. Moreover, depleting anillin/ANI-1 in SPD-1-inhibited cells results in myosin loss from the contractile ring during the second half of furrow ingression, which in turn results in furrow regression and cytokinesis failure. Our results thus reveal a mechanism involving the joint action of anillin and PRC1, which operates during the later stages of furrow ingression to ensure continued functioning of the contractile ring until cytokinesis is complete.