Dissecting the molecular basis of cortical flow-dependent regulation of cellular patterning during cytokinesis
Cell divisions are arranged in different orientations during organogenesis and stem cell division by employing cytoskeletons and molecular motors. However, it remains unknown how this diversity of division axes is generated. Recently, we made an interesting discovery: a collective directional movement of the cell cortex at the cell surface, known as cortical flow, has the potential to create division axis diversity during cytokinesis. We have identified the three contact-dependent cues: physical contact, asymmetry of contacting cell sizes, and the Wnt signal, leading to the generation of distinct cortical flow patterns and specification of different division axes. Our goals are to elucidate the molecular and physical basis underlying the multimodal cortical flow regulations and its influences on the cytokinetic contractile ring and cellular patterning. (Ref: Sugioka and Bowerman., Developmental Cell 2018; Sugioka., Seminars in Cell and Developmental Biology 2022).
Project 1: Elucidating the mechanism by which the contractile ring senses tissue mechanics.
Ref: Hsu, Sangha et al., Nature Communications in press
Project 2: Elucidating the mechanism by which the contractile ring regulates embryonic chirality.
Project 3: Elucidating the mechanism by which the Wnt signal controls cytokinesis during asymmetric cell division.
Project 4: Elucidating the mechanism by which the cytokinetic midbody orients cell division.
We will use quantitative imaging and genetics to approach these questions.
