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Cell Elongation by the Cytokinetic Machinery – Pinching without Dividing
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Rajprasad Loganathan
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Johns Hopkins University
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Department of Cell Biology, JHU, Baltimore, MD 21211, USA.
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rlogana2@jhmi.edu
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Cell elongation is an integral component of cell shape changes that occur during morphogenesis of tissues and organs during embryogenesis. A common morphogenetic process accomplishes tissue elongation through intercalation of proliferating cells. Meanwhile, tissues could also elongate as a result of elongation of the constituent cells. A recent study by Sehring et al., identifies a role for the cytokinetic machinery of non-dividing cells in tissue elongation. Focal actomyosin at the cell equator, similar to the apparatus used during cytokinesis, drives this cell-scale elongation. It is possible that the strategy outlined in this study for cell elongation is utilized by a variety of cell types, in various developmental contexts, to direct cell elongation and consequently tissue/organ elongation.
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