Cell and Nuclear Division

Cell and nuclear division are fundamental processes by which eukaryotic organisms grow, maintain tissue homeostasis and generate specialised cell types. Division commences with replication of the genome during S-phase, when each chromosome is duplicated to form sister chromatids. Entry into mitosis is governed by cyclin-dependent kinase activation, triggering chromosome condensation, disassembly of the nuclear envelope and assembly of the mitotic spindle. Kinetochores on each centromere capture spindle microtubules and align chromosomes at the metaphase plate. Once all attachments are correctly established, cohesin complexes are cleaved to allow sister-chromatid segregation during anaphase, and chromatids are drawn towards opposite poles. In telophase, nuclear envelopes reform around the separated genomes, decondensation ensues and the mitotic spindle disassembles. Contractile actomyosin and septin assemblies then constrict at the cell equator to complete abscission, yielding two genetically identical daughter cells. Fidelity at each stage is ensured by checkpoint networks that monitor DNA integrity, spindle attachment and tension, and inhibit cycle progression until errors are resolved. Dysregulation of any step—ranging from defective condensation to impaired cytokinesis—can lead to aneuploidy, developmental anomalies and tumourigenesis.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent work has illuminated the molecular choreography of the cytokinetic apparatus. Phosphorylation of a key F-BAR protein was shown to remodel septin filaments at the bud neck, promoting ring splitting and actomyosin ring recruitment to drive late stages of cell division. In vitro reconstitutions of curvature-sensitive septin filaments have revealed how these polymers sense membrane topology and generate constriction forces that complement actomyosin contractility. Foundational studies have also identified a distinct class of ultra-fine anaphase bridges arising from unresolved recombination intermediates; these bridges form persistent DNA threads that, if not resolved before cytokinesis, give rise to chromosome breakage, micronuclei formation and genomic instability.

Research from all publishers

Advanced-state analyses of the cytokinetic midbody have uncovered a human endonuclease that localises to intercellular bridge remnants and cleaves chromatin bridges, preventing cytokinesis failure, DNA damage and spurious activation of cytosolic DNA sensors. Disruption of this pathway leads to DNA accumulation in daughter cells and triggers innate immune signalling. Complementary work in mammalian oocytes demonstrates that specialised F-actin networks act as a mechanical buffer against microtubule-driven poleward forces, limiting premature sister-chromatid separation and thereby reducing age-associated aneuploidy. Such findings highlight the interplay between cytoskeletal integrity and genome partitioning across cell types.

Cell and Nuclear Division publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in cell and nuclear division across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Cohesin: A multiprotein ring that holds sister chromatids together until anaphase.

Kinetochores: Multiprotein assemblies at centromeres that attach chromosomes to spindle microtubules.

Sep­tin ring: A filamentous GTP-binding scaffold that forms a contractile collar during cytokinesis.

Midbody: A transient intercellular structure at the site of abscission where cytokinetic factors assemble.

Aneuploidy: An abnormal chromosome number in daughter cells, often resulting from division errors.

References

1. Phosphorylation of the F-BAR protein Hof1 drives septin ring splitting in budding yeast. Nature Communications (2024).
2. Membrane reshaping by micrometric curvature sensitive septin filaments. Nature Communications (2019).
3. Unresolved recombination intermediates lead to ultra-fine anaphase bridges, chromosome breaks and aberrations. Nature Cell Biology (2017).
4. Human Endonuclease ANKLE1 Localizes at the Midbody and Processes Chromatin Bridges to Prevent DNA Damage and cGAS‐STING Activation. Advanced Science (2023).
5. Actin limits egg aneuploidies associated with female reproductive aging. Science Advances (2023).