Cytokinesis in trypanosomatids
Transcription
Cytokinesis in trypanosomatids
Cytokinesis in trypanosomatids Tansy C Hammarton, Séverine Monnerat and Jeremy C Mottram The process of cytokinesis, where the cytoplasm of one cell is divided to produce two daughter cells, is intricate in trypanosomatids because of the requirement to replicate and segregate a number of single copy organelles, including the nucleus, kinetoplast, Golgi apparatus, and flagellum. Identifying regulators of the three stages of cytokinesis, initiation, furrow ingression, and abscission is complicated by the fact that cell division in trypanosomatids is easily perturbed and aberrant cells are readily produced during functional characterization of gene products. In this review, we discuss direct and indirect effects on cytokinesis, using Trypanosoma brucei as a model. Addresses Wellcome Centre for Molecular Parasitology and Division of Infection & Immunity, Institute of Biomedical and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, 120 University Place, Glasgow G12 8TA, United Kingdom Corresponding author: Mottram, Jeremy C (j.mottram@udcf.gla.ac.uk) Current Opinion in Microbiology 2007, 10:520–527 This review comes from a themed issue on Eukaryotes Edited by Marc Ouellette 1369-5274/$ – see front matter # 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. DOI 10.1016/j.mib.2007.10.005 Abbreviations BB basal body BSF bloodstream form K kinetoplast N nucleus PCF procyclic form Introduction Trypanosomatids are parasitic protozoa found within the order Kinetoplastida. Trypanosoma brucei, which causes African sleeping sickness, Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease in South America and Leishmania major, one of the several species of Leishmania that cause leishmaniasis, are well-studied model organisms with sequenced genomes [1–3]. These trypanosomatids have complex life cycles that involve differentiation between highly polarized, morphologically distinct, stages. The parasites have a single flagellum, which exits the cell at a unique invagination of the plasma membrane, the flagellar pocket. In Leishmania the flagellum remains free, whilst in trypanosomes it is attached to the body of the cell (Figure 1). The elongated spindle shapes of the parasites Current Opinion in Microbiology 2007, 10:520–527 are maintained by a corset of subpellicular microtubules (MTs), which encloses the internal organelles, including the single mitochondrion, nucleus, and Golgi apparatus. Within the mitochondrion resides the kinetoplast, an unusual structure that contains the organelle’s DNA. The replication and segregation of these single organelles to produce two identical daughter cells must be precisely controlled during the cell cycle. The typical eukaryotic cell cycle consists of four main phases — G1, S, G2, and M. In animal cells, cytokinesis commences before mitotic chromosome segregation is completed, and hence mitosis and cytokinesis overlap. Although the cell division cycle in trypanosomatids broadly follows the general eukaryotic model, it possesses some unique features and complexities. Cell division in T. brucei The order and timing of cell cycle events in T. brucei have been extensively studied (for recent reviews see [4,5]). Most of the work has been undertaken in procyclic form (PCF) cells, but subtle differences may exist in different life cycle stages. The order of events is similar in the bloodstream form (BSF), but the length of the cell cycle is shorter (about 6 hours compared with the 8.5 hours of the PCF) and the kinetics are different. The cell cycle starts with the elongation and maturation of the probasal body, which permits the nucleation steps that initiate the formation of a new flagellum. Replication of the Golgi apparatus then follows, via a mechanism that appears to combine both templated biogenesis and de novo assembly [6]. Kinetoplast DNA replication (SK) initiates immediately before the onset of the nuclear S phase (SN), takes less time to complete and thus, kinetoplast division occurs before the start of mitosis. During G2 phase of the nuclear cycle, basal bodies separate in a MT-mediated process, an event that is essential for the segregation of the kinetoplasts and Golgi. The replicated nucleus then undergoes mitosis, which occurs without chromosome condensation or nuclear envelope breakdown. In the PCF, but not the BSF, one nucleus is repositioned between the two divided kinetoplasts. Finally, cytokinesis occurs via the ingression of a cleavage furrow along the longitudinal axis of the cell, initiating at the anterior end, and passing between the two flagella to separate the daughter cells. Ingressing furrows are observed less frequently in BSF parasite populations compared to PCF populations, indicating that furrowing is rapid in the BSF. Cell cycle events are driven by the sequential activation and inactivation of cyclin-dependent kinases and are monitored by specific signaling checkpoints. DNA synthesis is monitored by DNA replication/damage www.sciencedirect.com Cytokinesis in trypanosomatids Hammarton, Monnerat and Mottram 521 checkpoints, while mitosis and cytokinesis are controlled by checkpoints that monitor spindle assembly, kinetochore attachment to the spindle, and chromosome segregation. In trypanosomes, some key checkpoints present in yeast and mammalian cells appear to be absent. Incubation of PCF cells with the MT inhibitor rhizoxin blocked mitosis, but not cytokinesis, generating 1N*1K cells with 4C nuclear DNA content and 0N1K cells (zoids) [7]. A similar phenotype was observed following RNAi knockdown of a mitotic B-type cyclin CYC6 (also designated CycB2) indicating that PCF trypanosomes lack the mitosis to cytokinesis checkpoint [8,9]. In the BSF, however, CYC6 depletion inhibited both mitosis and cytokinesis but not kinetoplast duplication, resulting in cells with multiple kinetoplasts [8]. Although this could indicate the existence of an operational mitosis to cytokinesis checkpoint in BSF T. brucei, it cannot be ruled out that the absence of mitosis physically impedes cytokinesis in this life cycle stage. Figure 1 Other trypanosomatids Trypanosomatids differ with respect to their cell shapes, the position of their kinetoplast and flagellum, and the order in which they replicate their organelles. Crithidia and Leishmania, for instance, divide their nucleus before their kinetoplast [10]. In T. cruzi epimastigotes, the kinetoplast divides immediately before the nucleus, though its replication probably begins after the start of nuclear S phase, ending before the nucleus enters G2 [11]. Daughter flagellum elongation and flagellar pocket division occur much later in the T. cruzi cell cycle compared to T. brucei [11]. The new flagellum starts to extrude from the old flagellar pocket only after the completion of S phase, and the two flagella continue to share the same pocket until late in the cell cycle. Flagellar pocket division commences before mitosis, with an invagination of the pocket membrane nearest to the kinetoplasts that proceeds toward the cell surface, eventually separating the pockets during cytokinesis. The new flagellum also continues to grow to the end of the cell cycle, finally reaching full length during cytokinesis. Cytokinesis Trypanosomatids carry out cytokinesis by unusual mechanisms that may differ not only between different species but also between different life cycle stages of the same parasite. All replicating forms of T. brucei divide, not via the constriction of an actomyosin ring as observed in mammalian cells, but via the ingression of a cleavage furrow that follows the helical axis of the cell and initiates at the anterior end (see example in Figure 1). T. cruzi epimastigotes appear to divide in a similar manner [12], but cytokinesis in T. cruzi and Leishmania amastigote cells superficially resembles the purse string mechanism of mammalian cells (although there is no evidence at present to support the formation of a contractile actomyosin ring). Leishmania promastigote cells are different again, as www.sciencedirect.com Scanning electron micrographs of Trypanosoma brucei and Leishmania major cells in G1 and undergoing cytokinesis (L Tetley and G Patuzzi, University of Glasgow). Scale bar: 10 mm. many cells appear to round up before dividing. Longitudinal furrow ingression can be observed (Figure 1), but detailed studies of Leishmania cytokinesis have not yet been published. Regardless of the exact physical mechanism of cytokinesis, the process can be subdivided into three stages. Firstly, signaling events are required to ensure cytokinesis initiates at the appropriate time (e.g. following duplication and segregation of organelles), which may involve the inactivation of one or more checkpoints. Secondly, a cleavage furrow ingresses to bisect the cell. This must involve remodeling of the MT cytoskeleton and cell membranes as the cleavage furrow progresses. Motor proteins and katanins are likely to be crucial for this process; endocytic vesicles are required in mammalian cells to bring additional membrane and proteins to the furrow, but it is not clear if vesicular transport is required during furrowing of trypanosomatids. Some form of physical force is also likely to be required, though the exact nature of this force (e.g. whether the ingressing furrow is ‘pushed’ from behind or ‘pulled’ from in front) and exactly what generates it is unknown. Basal body (BB)/flagella separation is a vital prerequisite for cytokinesis to occur in T. brucei, and it is conceivable that this may either trigger the process or result in a rearrangement of cell morphology that is particularly conducive to furrowing. However, the different furrowing mechanisms utilized by different parasites and life cycle stages will probably involve different forces and be Current Opinion in Microbiology 2007, 10:520–527 522 Eukaryotes regulated distinctly. Thirdly, abscission brings about the final separation of the two daughter cells. This event probably also requires cytoskeleton and membrane remodeling, and it is possible that the proteins responsible accumulate at the join between the daughter cells, analogous to proteins accumulating at the midbody of mammalian cells. Physical force may also be required to bring about abscission, as in T. brucei it has been suggested that rotational forces arising from flagellar beat contribute to abscission [13]. Cytokinesis and the mutant phenotype A number of experimental approaches have been taken to investigate cell division processes in trypanosomatids, including inducible RNAi (T. brucei), inducible overexpression, and treatment with a variety of chemical inhibitors (see Tables 1 and 2). Regardless of the approach taken, it is the phenotype analysis of mutant cell lines that is most important. The time at which the analysis is carried out is critical. Often, investigating the phenotype as a growth defect becomes visible is too late, as the deficiency that ultimately causes the growth defect occurs at an earlier time point. Indirect effects also accrue over time, and distinguishing between direct and indirect effects is vital (particularly for the study of cytokinesis). For example, cytokinesis in T. brucei is inhibited by defects in BB [14], flagellum [15], or Golgi duplication [16] that occur earlier in the cell cycle, as well as by an inhibition of mitosis (BSF only) [8]. It is also inhibited by reduced availability of surface GPI-anchored proteins and VSG [17,18]. Hence, although downregulating a variety of proteins can be said to inhibit cytokinesis in T. brucei, very few actually play a direct role in this process, either by signaling the initiation of cytokinesis, regulating furrow ingression or controlling abscission. The appearance of ‘monster’ cells (with multiple nuclei, kinetoplasts, and flagella) does not imply that a particular protein is involved in cytokinesis, but merely indicates that functional analyses should be carried out at an earlier time point in order to determine the precise role of a particular protein. Molecules directly involved in cytokinesis Defining molecules that directly regulate initiation of cytokinesis is difficult. In PCF T. brucei, the best candidate to date for a cytokinesis initiator is the aurora kinase, AUK1 [19]. Depletion of this kinase resulted in the rapid accumulation of 1N2K cells, as well as an approximate twofold increase in 2N2K cells by 24 hours postinduction. The 1N2K cells all contained a mitotic spindle, suggesting mitotic exit was affected. PCF trypanosomes lack a mitosis to cytokinesis checkpoint, and usually, inhibition of mitosis in this life cycle stage does not prevent cytokinesis, resulting in a 1N2K cell dividing to give a 1N1K cell and a zoid (0N1K) [7,8]. However, zoid formation was not observed following AUK1 RNAi, suggesting cytokinesis was inhibited, and that AUK1 may play a key role in triggering exit from mitosis and Current Opinion in Microbiology 2007, 10:520–527 entry into cytokinesis, at least in this life cycle stage [19]. In the BSF, AUK1 RNAi resulted in a transient increase in 1N2K cells (indicating inhibition of mitosis), followed by the appearance of cells with a single enlarged nucleus but multiple kinetoplasts (because of a block in cytokinesis) [20]. However, in BSF trypanosomes, mitotic inhibition is known to prevent cytokinesis [8], so it is not possible from these data to assign a role for AUK1 in initiating cytokinesis in this life cycle stage. It might also be expected that the anaphase promoting complex (APC) would play a key role in the mitosis:cytokinesis transition. However, RNAi of two APC components, CDC27 and APC1, in PCF T. brucei, though preventing mitosis by arresting cells at metaphase, did not prevent cytokinesis [21]. In the BSF, depletion of these components resulted in the accumulation of cells at anaphase (observed as 2N2K cells with a long spindle linking the nuclei), suggesting a delay or block in cytokinesis. The observed inhibition of mitosis means once again it is not possible to imply a direct role for the APC in cytokinesis. Recent work has also raised the intriguing possibility that metacaspases may play a role in signaling entry into cytokinesis, since combined knockdown of MCA2, MCA3, and MCA5 in BSF T. brucei prevented initiation of cytokinesis [22]. In L. major, overexpression of the single metacaspase leads to a delay in growth because of deficiencies in kinetoplast segregation, nuclear division, and cytokinesis [23]. Although little is known about the signals that trigger entry into cytokinesis, some information has emerged concerning checkpoints that must be overcome in order to divide the cell. In the BSF, depletion of VSG synthesis results in the accumulation of 2N2K cells lacking cleavage furrows, suggesting a precytokinesis arrest [18]. However, unlike downregulation of GPI8, which prevented cytokinesis in BSF T. brucei, but did not stop the re-replication of DNA and organelles [17], ‘monster’ cells were not observed following VSG RNAi. BSF cells may have evolved a novel checkpoint that senses VSG synthesis, reflecting the vital role VSG plays in evading the host immune response, to ensure cells do not divide in the absence of adequate cell surface protection. Depletion of phosphatidyl-inositol 4-kinase III-b (PI4KIIIb) in PCF T. brucei also resulted in the accumulation of 2N2K cells that lacked a cleavage furrow without the generation of ‘monster’ cells [24], suggesting that phosphoinositides may be required for cytokinesis. However, PI4KIIIb knockdown severely affected cell morphology, cell ultrastructure, and organelle positioning, so the effect on cytokinesis may be indirect. Ablation of dynamin-like protein (DLP) in PCF T. brucei blocked mitochondrial fission and arrested cells midfurrow in a NKKN configuration [25]. Once again, this arrest was precise, with no accompanying monster formation, suggesting that mitochondrial fission may constitute a checkpoint that must be overcome during cytokinesis. www.sciencedirect.com Cytokinesis in trypanosomatids Hammarton, Monnerat and Mottram 523 However, the factors that determine whether a cell rereplicates its DNA following a block in cytokinesis are not well understood yet. Almost certainly, the exact point at which cytokinesis is blocked and the parasite life cycle stage will be key factors, but because of the low number of cytokinesis proteins identified till date, we are a long way from being able to confirm the existence of any molecular cytokinesis checkpoint. Three proteins have been demonstrated to be required for furrow ingression in T. brucei: MOB1, TRACK, and Polo-like kinase (PLK). RNAi of MOB1 or PLK in BSF Table 1 T. brucei gene products with an RNAi cytokinesis phenotype www.sciencedirect.com Current Opinion in Microbiology 2007, 10:520–527 524 Eukaryotes Table 1 (Continued ) The proposed functions of genes reported to display a cytokinesis phenotype following their downregulation via RNAi are listed. Phenotypes of RNAi mutants in BSF and PCF T. brucei are given. In the ‘Comments’ column, ‘Possible regulatory function’ refers to a potential direct molecular role in one of the three main stages of cytokinesis (initiation signaling events, furrowing and abscission). Many RNAi mutants are defective in cytokinesis through an indirect mechanism, for example, as a result of a defect in flagellar motility, mitosis (in the case of BSF), or basal body (BB) duplication/segregation. Genes listed are color coded by category — pink: potential signaling molecules (see Refs. [8,14,19–22,24,25,26,27,28,36–39]); blue: flagellar proteins (see Refs. [13,15,33,34,35,40–45]); yellow: centrins (see Refs. [16,46]); green: cell surface molecules (see Refs. [17,18]); white: other (see Ref. [47]). ND: not done; N/A: not applicable. *Overexpression. trypanosomes resulted in an accumulation of furrowing 2N2K cells six to eight hours postinduction [14,26], indicating that furrow ingression is delayed following depletion of either of these proteins. Different phenotypes were observed following RNAi of these regulators in PCF T. brucei. MOB1 appears to be required for accuracy of furrow ingression rather than being required for furrow ingression per se [26]. PLK was reported to inhibit initiation of cytokinesis in procyclic cells [27], but subsequent analyses have shown that PLK actually inhibits BB duplication earlier in the cell cycle, which itself blocks cytokinesis [14]. Although an additional direct role for PLK in cytokinesis in the PCF cannot at present be ruled out, the available data only support an indirect involvement. RNAi of TRACK resulted in cells undergoing multiple rounds of incomplete furrow ingression during PCF cytokinesis and in an accumulation of 2N2K cells lacking furrows in BSF trypanosomes [28]. Hence, TRACK is essential for furrow ingression in PCF cells, but required for progression into cytokinesis in BSF parasites. Based on this limited data set, it appears that cytokinesis is regulated very differently in these two life cycle stages, probably reflecting the different morphology, organelle Current Opinion in Microbiology 2007, 10:520–527 positioning, and cytoskeleton composition in these forms. MTs and MT-associated proteins (MAPs) are likely to be key players during cytokinesis. The composition of the cytoskeleton in T. brucei differs between life cycle stages [3,29], with the result that the cytoskeletons of BSF and PCF trypanosomes differ in their stability. Modification of MAPs, for example, by phosphorylation can alter their affinity for MTs leading to changes in MT stability [30]. In T. cruzi, incubation with Taxol, a MT-stabilizing agent, blocks cytokinesis during furrow ingression [12], while incubation with vinca alkaloids, MT-destabilizing agents, inhibits initiation of cytokinesis (Table 2) [31]. Tubulin inhibitors also disrupt cytokinesis in Leishmania donovani [32]. Further investigation of the role of MT stability during cytokinesis is clearly warranted. Proteins with a direct role in abscission have not yet been identified. Rotational flagellar forces may be required for this process because defects in flagellar beat caused by depletion of radial spoke and central pair proteins are accompanied by impaired abscission in PCF T. brucei [13,33], but other PCF flagellar motility mutants do www.sciencedirect.com Cytokinesis in trypanosomatids Hammarton, Monnerat and Mottram 525 Table 2 Inhibitors that cause a cell cycle phenotype in trypanosomatids Key to shading — pink: microtubule (MT) inhibitors (see Refs. [7,12,31,48]); yellow: DNA replication inhibitors (see Refs. [7,48,49]); blue: cell cycle regulator inhibitors (see Refs. [50–53]); unshaded: other inhibitors (see Refs. [54,55]). not display cytokinesis defects [34]. However, in the BSF, flagellar motility defects are lethal, resulting in the formation of highly contorted cells containing multiple nuclei and flagella [34,35]. These cells were unable to complete cytokinesis, but it is not clear in all cases whether initiation, furrowing, abscission, or all stages of cytokinesis were affected. Future perspectives Trypanosomatid cell division is easily perturbed at many stages of the cell cycle. Some perturbations block cytokinesis, while others are apparently disregarded by the cell and cytokinesis proceeds unimpeded, resulting in the generation of aberrant progeny such as zoids. This has led to speculation concerning the existence or not of classical cell cycle checkpoints in T. brucei. Certainly, evidence suggests that a mitosis to cytokinesis checkpoint is absent in PCF [7,8], though it may be present in BSF parasites, and there is evidence that VSG synthesis may be monitored in a cytokinesis initiation checkpoint in the BSF [18]. It is also possible that there is a midfurrowing checkpoint, given that in several RNAi mutants (TRACK, MOB1, and PLK), cells displaying partially ingressed cleavage furrows accumulate, suggesting that these gene functions are only required for the latter stages of furrowing [14,26,28]. However, it could also be argued that residual protein following RNAi is sufficient to allow furrowing to begin, but it becomes rate-limiting midway through cell cleavage. T. brucei cells also take some time to complete abscission, and it is tempting to speculate that a checkpoint may exist here to ensure that final separation www.sciencedirect.com only occurs once the accuracy of the preceding cell cycle has been verified. However, there is some way to go before it will be possible to define the mechanisms and molecular participants of any checkpoint in T. brucei and even further until an understanding of checkpoints in other trypanosomatids is realized. As highlighted in this review, cell cycle data must be carefully interpreted in order to distinguish between direct and indirect effects on cytokinesis. In our opinion, in order to classify a protein as playing a direct role in cytokinesis, following its downregulation or overexpression, cells must progress normally through the cell cycle up until nuclear division is complete. Hence, for T. brucei, the first cell type to accumulate in a cytokinesis mutant would, in most cases, be of a 2N2K configuration, with or without a furrow. If the accuracy of furrow positioning is affected, then a 2N2K cell might divide to give 2N1K + 0N1K cells. Here, dividing trypanosomes must be ‘caught in the act’ to confirm this. Since most cytokinesis defects will ultimately result in the accumulation of abnormal cell types, a cell lineage analysis (involving the examination of nuclei, kinetoplasts, flagella, basal bodies, and Golgi, as necessary) needs to be carried out at multiple time points, for example, at least one cell cycle before and after the first defects are observed, in order to accurately map the progenitors of ‘monster’ cells. Although this analysis will prevent proteins being falsely assigned a role in cytokinesis, some direct regulators with additional essential functions earlier in the cell cycle will be missed, as earlier defects will mask later cytokinesis Current Opinion in Microbiology 2007, 10:520–527 526 Eukaryotes defects. Unfortunately, until populations of actively dividing cells can be isolated in a given cell cycle stage, this problem will remain difficult to address. 11. Elias MC, da Cunha JP, de Faria FP, Mortara RA, Freymuller E, Schenkman S: Morphological events during the Trypanosoma cruzi cell cycle. Protist 2007, 158:147-157. This paper reports the initial characterization of the T. cruzi cell cycle with respect to the order of organelle division. Shown to differ from T. brucei. Despite the advances in our understanding of cell division in T. brucei, there remain many unanswered questions. For example, we know nothing about the proteins that determine the position of cleavage furrow initiation at the anterior end of the flagellum/FAZ, or that cleave the cytoskeleton and remodel membranes during furrowing and abscission, or indeed where and when the extra membrane required for generating two daughter cells is sourced. These questions will undoubtedly be the focus of future research into the intriguing cell biology of the trypanosomatids, and given the obvious differences between trypanosomatid and mammalian cytokinesis, identification of the molecular effectors of parasite cytokinesis will probably yield much-needed novel drug targets. 12. Baum SG, Wittner M, Nadler JP, Horwitz SB, Dennis JE, Schiff PB, Tanowitz HB: Taxol, a microtubule stabilizing agent, blocks the replication of Trypanosoma cruzi. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1981, 78:4571-4575. Acknowledgements 16. He CY, Pypaert M, Warren G: Golgi duplication in Trypanosoma brucei requires Centrin2. Science 2005, 310:1196-1198. This work was funded by the Wellcome Trust and the MRC. TCH holds an MRC Career Development Fellowship (ref G120/1001). References and recommended reading Papers of particular interest, published within the annual period of review, have been highlighted as: of special interest of outstanding interest 1. El Sayed NM, Myler PJ, Bartholomeu DC, Nilsson D, Aggarwal G, Tran AN, Ghedin E, Worthey EA, Delcher AL, Blandin G et al.: The genome sequence of Trypanosoma cruzi, etiologic agent of chagas disease. Science 2005, 309:409-415. 2. Ivens AC, Peacock CS, Worthey EA, Murphy L, Aggarwal G, Berriman M, Sisk E, Rajandream MA, Adlem E, Aert R et al.: The genome of the kinetoplastid parasite, Leishmania major. Science 2005, 309:436-442. 3. Berriman M, Ghedin E, Hertz-Fowler C, Blandin G, Renauld H, Bartholomeu DC, Lennard NJ, Caler E, Hamlin NE, Haas B et al.: The genome of the African trypanosome Trypanosoma brucei. Science 2005, 309:416-422. 4. McKean PG: Coordination of cell cycle and cytokinesis in Trypanosoma brucei. Curr Opin Microbiol 2003, 6:600-607. 5. Hammarton TC: Cell cycle regulation in Trypanosoma brucei. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2007, 153:1-8. 6. He CY, Ho HH, Malsam J, Chalouni C, West CM, Ullu E, Toomre D, Warren G: Golgi duplication in Trypanosoma brucei. J Cell Biol 2004, 165:313-321. 7. 8. 9. Ploubidou A, Robinson DR, Docherty RC, Ogbadoyi EO, Gull K: Evidence for novel cell cycle checkpoints in trypanosomes: kinetoplast segregation and cytokinesis in the absence of mitosis. J Cell Sci 1999, 112:4641-4650. Hammarton TC, Clark J, Douglas F, Boshart M, Mottram JC: Stage-specific differences in cell cycle control in Trypanosoma brucei revealed by RNA interference of a mitotic cyclin. J Biol Chem 2003, 278:22877-22886. Li Z, Wang CC: A PHO80-like cyclin and a B-type cyclin control the cell cycle of the procyclic form of Trypanosoma brucei. J Biol Chem 2003, 278:20652-20658. 10. Cosgrove WB, Skeen MJ: The cell cycle in Crithidia fasciculata. Temporal relationships between synthesis of deoxyribonucleic acid in the nucleus and in the kinetoplast. J Protozool 1970, 17:172-177. Current Opinion in Microbiology 2007, 10:520–527 13. Ralston KS, Lerner AG, Diener DR, Hill KL: Flagellar motility contributes to cytokinesis in Trypanosoma brucei and is modulated by an evolutionarily conserved dynein regulatory system. Eukaryot Cell 2006, 5:696-711. First demonstration that flagellar motility is required for abscission in PCF trypanosomes. 14. Hammarton TC, Kramer S, Tetley L, Boshart M, Mottram JC: Trypanosoma brucei Polo-like kinase is essential for basal body duplication, kDNA segregation and cytokinesis. Mol Microbiol 2007, 65:1229-1248. This paper demonstrates a potential role for Polo-like kinase as a regulator of furrow ingression during cytokinesis of BSF T. brucei. 15. Kohl L, Robinson D, Bastin P: Novel roles for the flagellum in cell morphogenesis and cytokinesis of trypanosomes. EMBO J 2003, 22:5336-5346. 17. Lillico SG, Field MC, Blundell P, Coombs GH, Mottram JC: Essential roles for GPI-anchored proteins in African trypanosomes revealed using mutants deficient in GPI8. Mol Biol Cell 2003, 14:1182-1194. 18. Sheader K, Vaughan S, Minchin J, Hughes K, Gull K, Rudenko G: Variant surface glycoprotein RNA interference triggers a precytokinesis cell cycle arrest in African trypanosomes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2005, 102:8716-8721. This paper provides evidence that BSF T. brucei monitor VSG synthesis as an essential prerequisite for entry into cytokinesis. 19. Tu X, Kumar P, Li Z, Wang CC: An aurora kinase homologue is involved in regulating both mitosis and cytokinesis in Trypanosoma brucei. J Biol Chem 2006, 281:9677-9687. This paper demonstrates that AUK1 is required for the initiation of cytokinesis in PCF trypanosomes. 20. Li Z, Wang CC: Changing roles of aurora-B kinase in two life cycle stages of Trypanosoma brucei. Eukaryot Cell 2006, 5:1026-1035. 21. Kumar P, Wang CC: Depletion of anaphase-promoting complex or cyclosome (APC/C) subunit homolog APC1 or CDC27 of Trypanosoma brucei arrests the procyclic form in metaphase but the bloodstream form in anaphase. J Biol Chem 2005, 280:31783-31791. 22. Helms MJ, Ambit A, Appleton P, Tetley L, Coombs GH, Mottram JC: Bloodstream form Trypanosoma brucei depend upon multiple metacaspases associated with RAB11-positive endosomes. J Cell Sci 2006, 119:1105-1117. 23. Ambit A, Fasel N, Coombs GH, Mottram JC: An essential role for the Leishmania major metacaspase in cell cycle progression. Cell Death Diff 2007, in press. 24. Rodgers MJ, Albanesi JP, Phillips MA: Phosphatidylinositol 4kinase III-beta is required for Golgi maintenance and cytokinesis in Trypanosoma brucei. Eukaryot Cell 2007, 6:11081118. 25. Chanez AL, Hehl AB, Engstler M, Schneider A: Ablation of the single dynamin of T. brucei blocks mitochondrial fission and endocytosis and leads to a precise cytokinesis arrest. J Cell Sci 2006, 119:2968-2974. In this paper, the data suggest a possible checkpoint monitoring mitochondrial fission during cytokinesis furrow ingression of BSF T. brucei. 26. Hammarton TC, Lillico SG, Welburn SC, Mottram JC: Trypanosoma brucei MOB1 is required for accurate and efficient cytokinesis but not for exit from mitosis. Mol Microbiol 2005, 56:104-116. www.sciencedirect.com Cytokinesis in trypanosomatids Hammarton, Monnerat and Mottram 527 This paper reports the identification of the first potential regulator of furrow ingression during cytokinesis of BSF T. brucei. 27. Kumar P, Wang CC: Dissociation of cytokinesis initiation from mitotic control in a eukaryote. Eukaryot Cell 2006, 5:92-102. 28. Rothberg KG, Burdette DL, Pfannstiel J, Jetton N, Singh R, Ruben L: The RACK1 homologue from Trypanosoma brucei is required for the onset and progression of cytokinesis. J Biol Chem 2006, 281:9781-9790. This paper reports the identification of the first potential regulator of furrow ingression during cytokinesis of PCF T. brucei. Data suggest TRACK could be involved in initiation of cytokinesis in BSF. 29. Hertz-Fowler C, Ersfeld K, Gull K: CAP5.5, a life-cycle-regulated, cytoskeleton-associated protein is a member of a novel family of calpain-related proteins in Trypanosoma brucei. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2001, 116:25-34. 30. Drewes G: MARKing tau for tangles and toxicity. Trends Biochem Sci 2004, 29:548-555. 31. Grellier P, Sinou V, Garreau-de Loubresse N, Bylèn E, Boulard Y, Schrével J: Selective and reversible effects of vinca alkaloids on Trypanosoma cruzi epimastigote forms: blockage of cytokinesis without inhibition of the organelle duplication. Cell Motil Cytoskeleton 1999, 42:36-47. 32. Havens CG, Bryant N, Asher L, Lamoreaux L, Perfetto S, Brendle JJ, Werbovetz KA: Cellular effects of leishmanial tubulin inhibitors on L. donovani. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2000, 110:223-236. 33. Baron DM, Ralston KS, Kabututu ZP, Hill KL: Functional genomics in Trypanosoma brucei identifies evolutionarily conserved components of motile flagella. J Cell Sci 2007, 120:478-491. 34. Broadhead R, Dawe HR, Farr H, Griffiths S, Hart SR, Portman N, Shaw MK, Ginger ML, Gaskell SJ, McKean PG et al.: Flagellar motility is required for the viability of the bloodstream trypanosome. Nature 2006, 440:224-227. First demonstration of the importance of flagellar motility for BSF cytokinesis by RNAi of genes identified by an analysis of the flagellar proteome. 35. Ralston KS, Hill KL: Trypanin, a component of the flagellar dynein regulatory complex, is essential in bloodstream form African trypanosomes. PLoS Pathog 2006, 2:e101. This paper reports that the detailed RNAi analysis of trypanin revealed defects in abscission at early time points and defective furrow ingression at later time points perhaps suggesting a gradient of sensitivity to trypanin depletion during BSF cytokinesis. 36. Inoue M, Nakamura Y, Yasuda K, Yasaka N, Hara T, Schnaufer A, Stuart K, Fukuma T: The 14-3-3 proteins of Trypanosoma brucei function in motility, cytokinesis, and cell cycle. J Biol Chem 2005, 280:14085-14096. 37. Morgan GW, Denny PW, Vaughan S, Goulding D, Jeffries TR, Smith DF, Gull K, Field MC: An evolutionarily conserved coiled-coil protein implicated in polycystic kidney disease is involved in basal body duplication and flagellar biogenesis in Trypanosoma brucei. Mol Cell Biol 2005, 25:3774-3783. 38. Pradel LC, Bonhivers M, Landrein N, Robinson DR: NIMA-related kinase TbNRKC is involved in basal body separation in Trypanosoma brucei. J Cell Sci 2006, 119:1852-1863. 39. Hall BS, Gabernet-Castello C, Voak A, Goulding D, Natesan SK, Field MC: TbVps34, the trypanosome orthologue of Vps34, is required for Golgi complex segregation. J Biol Chem 2006, 281:27600-27612. www.sciencedirect.com 40. LaCount DJ, Barrett B, Donelson JE: Trypanosoma brucei FLA1 is required for flagellum attachment and cytokinesis. J Biol Chem 2002, 277:17580-17588. 41. Griffiths S, Portman N, Taylor PR, Gordon S, Ginger ML, Gull K: RNA interference mutant induction in vivo demonstrates the essential nature of trypanosome flagellar function during mammalian infection. Eukaryot Cell 2007, 6:1248-1250. 42. Branche C, Kohl L, Toutirais G, Buisson J, Cosson J, Bastin P: Conserved and specific functions of axoneme components in trypanosome motility. J Cell Sci 2006, 119:3443-3455. 43. Davidge JA, Chambers E, Dickinson HA, Towers K, Ginger ML, McKean PG, Gull K: Trypanosome IFT mutants provide insight into the motor location for mobility of the flagella connector and flagellar membrane formation. J Cell Sci 2006, 119:3935-3943. 44. Bastin P, Ellis K, Kohl L, Gull K: Flagellum ontogeny in trypanosomes studied via an inherited and regulated RNA interference system. J Cell Sci 2000, 113:3321-3328. 45. Hutchings NR, Donelson JE, Hill KL: Trypanin is a cytoskeletal linker protein and is required for cell motility in African trypanosomes. J Cell Biol 2002, 156:867-877. 46. Selvapandiyan A, Kumar P, Morris JC, Salisbury JL, Wang CC, Nakhasi HL: Centrin1 Is required for organelle segregation and cytokinesis in Trypanosoma brucei. Mol Biol Cell 2007, 18:32903301. 47. Fang J, Rohloff P, Miranda K, Docampo R: Ablation of a small transmembrane protein of Trypanosoma brucei (TbVTC1) involved in the synthesis of polyphosphate alters acidocalcisome biogenesis and function, and leads to a cytokinesis defect. Biochem J 2007, 407:161-170. 48. Robinson DR, Gull K: Basal body movements as a mechanism for mitochondrial genome segregation in the trypanosome cell-cycle. Nature 1991, 352:731-733. 49. Ogbadoyi EO, Robinson DR, Gull K: A high-order transmembrane structural linkage is responsible for mitochondrial genome positioning and segregation by flagellar basal bodies in trypanosomes. Mol Biol Cell 2003, 14:1769-1779. 50. Hassan P, Fergusson D, Grant KM, Mottram JC: The CRK3 protein kinase is essential for cell cycle progression of Leishmania mexicana. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2001, 113:189-198. 51. Santori MI, Laria S, Gomez EB, Espinosa I, Galanti N, TellezInon MT: Evidence for CRK3 participation in the cell division cycle of Trypanosoma cruzi. Mol Biochem Parasitol 2002, 121:225-232. 52. Das A, Gale M Jr, Carter V, Parsons M: The protein phosphatase inhibitor okadaic acid induces defects in cytokinesis and organellar genome segregation in Trypanosoma brucei. J Cell Sci 1994, 107:3477-3483. 53. Mutomba MC, To WY, Hyun WC, Wang CC: Inhibition of proteasome activity blocks cell cycle progression at specific phase boundaries in African trypanosomes. Mol Biochem Parasitol 1997, 90:491-504. 54. Galanti N, Dvorak JA, Grenet J, Mcdaniel JP: Hydroxyureainduced synchrony of DNA replication in the Kinetoplastida. Exp Cell Res 1994, 214:225-230. 55. Uzcategui NL, Carmona-Gutierrez D, Denninger V, Schoenfeld C, Lang F, Figarella K, Duszenko M: Antiproliferative effect of dihydroxyacetone on Trypanosoma brucei bloodstream forms: cell cycle progression, subcellular alterations and cell death. Antimicrob Agents Chem 2007, 51:3960-3968. Current Opinion in Microbiology 2007, 10:520–527