Category: Cell Division

  • Story 3: How Mammalian Cells Split in Two

    Mitotic division in mammalian cells produces two genetically identical daughter cells. After the cell grows and replicates its DNA, mitosis proceeds through four stages. First, the DNA condenses and the nuclear envelope breaks down; then, the DNA sets align at the cell’s equator. Next, each set is pulled apart to opposite poles (Upper Figure 3). Subsequently, new nuclear membranes reform around each duplicated DNA set. Finally, cytokinesis pinches the cell to divide it into two separate daughter cells (Lower Figure 3).

    Figure 3: Mammalian Mitotic Cell Division.

    References

    1. Picotto J, Bertrand P, Pennarun G. Mitotic dynamics of the nuclear lamina in the backstage of chromosome separation. Commun Biol. 2025.26;8(1):1687. doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-09081-w

    2. Anjur-Dietrich MI, Kelleher CP, Needleman DJ. Mechanical Mechanisms of Chromosome Segregation. Cells. 2021.22;10(2):465. doi: 10.3390/cells10020465

    3. Shah R, Panagiotou TC, Cole GB, Moraes TF, Lavoie BD, McCulloch CA, Wilde A. The DIAPH3 linker specifies a β-actin network that maintains RhoA and Myosin-II at the cytokinetic furrow. Nat Commun. 2024.19;15(1):5250. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-49427-2

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  • Story 1: Fission Yeast

    Fission yeast are single-celled, simple eukaryotes that undergo closed mitosis where the nuclear envelope stays intact throughout division (Upper Figure 1). During mitosis, an actin‑myosin contractile ring (ACR) assembles and constricts, then cytokinesis finishes via septation, where a cell-wall-like structure, the septum, forms between the two daughter cells, separating them completely (Lower Figure 1).

    Figure 1: Fission Yeast Cell Division From Closed Mitosis to Cytokinesis.

    References

    1. Hayles J, Nurse P. A review of mitosis in the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Exp Cell Res. 1989;184(2):273-86. doi: 10.1016/0014-4827(89)90327-3

    2. Gallardo P, Barrales RR, Daga RR, Salas-Pino S. Nuclear Mechanics in the Fission Yeast. Cells. 2019;8(10):1285. doi: 10.3390/cells8101285

    3. Mori R, Oliferenko S. Cell Biology: An Open Solution for Closed Mitosis. Curr Biol. 2020;30(16):R942-R944. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.06.067

    4. Rezig IM, Yaduma WG, McInerny CJ. Processes Controlling the Contractile Ring during Cytokinesis in Fission Yeast, Including the Role of ESCRT Proteins. J Fungi (Basel). 2024;10(2):154. doi: 10.3390/jof10020154

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  • Story 2: Fission Yeast Cell Cycle Clock

    The fission yeast cell cycle progresses through G1, S, G2, and M phases, guided by a cell cycle clock that precisely times each step. Checkpoints act as “guards,” ensuring DNA is accurately replicated and chromosomes are properly segregated. During S phase, DNA is duplicated, and in M phase, mitosis and cytokinesis produce two genetically identical daughter cells, maintaining proper growth and division.

    Figure 2: This Cell Cycle Clock figure illustrates the transitions through the four phases: the red pointer indicates the current phase, while the black pointer shows the previous phase.

    References

    1. Peng X, Karuturi RK, Miller LD, Lin K, Jia Y, Kondu P, Wang L, Wong LS, Liu ET, Balasubramanian MK, Liu J. Identification of cell cycle-regulated genes in fission yeast. Mol Biol Cell. 2005;16(3):1026-42. doi: 10.1091/mbc.e04-04-0299.

      2. Kaykov A, Nurse P. The spatial and temporal organization of origin firing during the S-phase of fission yeast. Genome Res. 2015;25(3):391-401. doi: 10.1101/gr.180372.114

      3. Swaffer MP, Jones AW, Flynn HR, Snijders AP, Nurse P. CDK Substrate Phosphorylation and Ordering the Cell Cycle. Cell. 2016;167(7):1750-1761.e16. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2016.11.034

      4. Miller KE, Vargas-Garcia C, Singh A, Moseley JB. The fission yeast cell size control system integrates pathways measuring cell surface area, volume, and time. Curr Biol. 2023;33(16):3312-3324.e7. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2023.06.054

      5. Kapadia N, Nurse P. Spatiotemporal orchestration of mitosis by cyclin-dependent kinase. Nature. 2025;643(8074):1391-1399. doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09172-y

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