title: Dictyostelium cytokinesis: from molecules to mechanics.
abstract: Cytokinesis is the mechanical process that allows the simplest unit of life, the cell, to divide, propagating itself. To divide, the cell converts chemical energy into mechanical energy to produce force. This process is thought to be active, due in large part to the mechanochemistry of the myosin-II ATPase. The cell's viscoelasticity defines the context and perhaps the magnitude of the forces that are required for cytokinesis. The viscoelasticity may also guide the force-generating apparatus, specifying the cell shape change that results. Genetic, biochemical, and mechanical measurements are providing a quantitative view of how real proteins control this essential life process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 725 N. Wolfe St., Baltimore, MD 21205, USA. dnr@jhmi.edu
authors.forename: Douglas N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Kristine D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Girard
authors.forename: Edelyn
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Octtaviani
authors.forename: Elizabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Reichl
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D004023:Dictyostelium / Q000166:cytology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D004548:Elasticity; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology; D024462:Myosin Type II / Q000378:metabolism; D009218:Myosins / Q000378:metabolism; D014783:Viscosity
chemical_list: D024462:Myosin Type II; D009218:Myosins