Fig. 9
From: KIF20A/MKLP2 regulates the division modes of neural progenitor cells during cortical development
A working hypothesis for two sequential functions of KIF20A during NPC divisions. In its better known function discovered in previous studies30, 31, KIF20A is involved in the assembly of the midbody, for example, facilitating translocation of Aurora B (AURKB) into the midbody. This function of KIF20A is important for an ordered progression of cytokinesis. In addition, data obtained from the current study suggest that KIF20A also plays a role in cell fate determination, being essential for the maintenance of the proliferative state of NPCs. This latter function of KIF20A likely occurs during the stage of cell abscission and may involve interaction with the Ephrin-B/RGS3 pathway, DLG5 and/or other unidentified factors present in the intercellular bridge. Knockout of the Kif20a gene in NPCs does not appear to compromise the completion of cytokinesis (the canonical function of KIF20A) but affects the balance between proliferation and differentiation (the cell fate determination function of KIF20A). The cartoons of illustration were modified based on Mierzwa and Gerlich46
