title: CAR-1, a protein that localizes with the mRNA decapping component DCAP-1, is required for cytokinesis and ER organization in Caenorhabditis elegans embryos.
abstract: The division of one cell into two requires the coordination of multiple components. We describe a gene, car-1, whose product may provide a link between disparate cellular processes. Inhibition of car-1 expression in Caenorhabditis elegans embryos causes late cytokinesis failures: cleavage furrows ingress but subsequently regress and the spindle midzone fails to form, even though midzone components are present. The localized accumulation of membrane that normally develops at the apex of the cleavage furrow during the final phase of cytokinesis does not occur and organization of the endoplasmic reticulum is aberrant, indicative of a disruption in membrane trafficking. The car-1 gene has homologues in a number of species, including proteins that associate with RNA binding proteins. CAR-1 localizes to P-granules (germ-line specific ribonucleoprotein particles) and discrete, developmentally regulated cytoplasmic foci. These foci also contain DCAP-1, a protein involved in decapping mRNAs. Thus, CAR-1, a protein likely to be associated with RNA metabolism, plays an essential role in the late stage of cytokinesis, suggesting a novel link between RNA, membrane trafficking and cytokinesis in the C. elegans embryo.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Molecular Biology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
authors.forename: Jayne M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Squirrell
authors.forename: Zachary T
authors.initials: ZT
authors.lastname: Eggers
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Luedke
authors.forename: Bonnie
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Saari
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Grimson
authors.forename: Gary E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Lyons
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: John G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D048749:Cytokinesis; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000166:cytology* / Q000196:embryology / Q000378:metabolism*; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000378:metabolism*; D004722:Endoribonucleases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D021381:Protein Transport; D012315:RNA Caps / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D034622:RNA Interference; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D029742:Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins; C506963:Car-1 protein, C elegans; D012315:RNA Caps; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D004722:Endoribonucleases; C509153:DCAP-1 protein, C elegans