GO:0007112 male meiosis cytokinesis: Mechanism, Genes, Functions and Research Methods
Research-grade guide for scientists and biopharma professionals
Key Takeaways
• GO:0007112 male meiosis cytokinesis is the specialized cell cycle process that partitions the cytoplasm after nuclear division during male meiosis, producing two daughter cells.
• In animal cells, Drosophila male meiosis is a powerful genetic model because cytokinesis is uncoupled from the canonical mitotic machinery and relies on a contractile ring anchored by COPII-dependent membrane trafficking.
• In plants, male meiotic cytokinesis is tightly coordinated with the male meiotic cell cycle and is highly sensitive to abiotic stress such as heat and cold.
• Evolutionary diversity in male meiotic cytokinesis ranges from simultaneous to successive patterns, with Magnolia denudata showing asynchronous nuclear divisions and bidirectional cytokinesis.
• Key molecular players include actin, myosin, anillin, septins, and COPII coat proteins that maintain contractile ring anchoring to the plasma membrane.
• Dysregulation of male meiotic cytokinesis is linked to male sterility in plants and to developmental defects in animal models, making it a target for reproductive and agricultural research.
Description
Male meiosis cytokinesis (GO:0007112) is the final cytoplasmic division step of the male meiotic cell cycle, ensuring that each haploid nucleus is packaged into a separate cell. This process is essential for producing viable male gametes in plants and sperm in animals. Unlike mitotic cytokinesis, male meiotic cytokinesis often occurs after two successive nuclear divisions without an intervening S phase, requiring specialized regulatory mechanisms to coordinate membrane trafficking, contractile ring assembly, and cell cycle progression. Research into GO:0007112 has revealed both conserved and lineage-specific features. In Drosophila, male meiosis serves as a model for animal cytokinesis because the contractile ring is anchored to the plasma membrane through COPII-dependent mechanisms, and mutations in these pathways lead to multinucleated spermatids. In plants, male meiotic cytokinesis is critical for pollen development, and environmental stresses such as heat or cold can disrupt this process, leading to male sterility. Understanding the molecular players and regulatory networks of male meiosis cytokinesis is therefore important for reproductive biology, agriculture, and developmental genetics.
male meiosis cytokinesis At A Glance
| GO ID | GO:0007112 |
|---|---|
| GO term | male meiosis cytokinesis |
| Ontology | biological_process |
| Synonym | cytokinesis after male meiosis; cytokinesis involved in male meiotic cell cycle |
| Major function | Division of the cytoplasm during male meiosis to produce two daughter cells |
| Related processes | Male meiotic cell cycle, contractile ring assembly, membrane trafficking |
| Model organisms | Drosophila melanogaster, Arabidopsis thaliana, Magnolia denudata, Triticum aestivum |
| Key molecular components | Actin, myosin, anillin, septins, COPII proteins |
What Is GO:0007112?
According to the Gene Ontology, GO:0007112 male meiosis cytokinesis is a cell cycle process that occurs as part of the male meiotic cell cycle and results in the division of the cytoplasm of a cell to produce two daughter cells. It is synonymous with cytokinesis after male meiosis and cytokinesis involved in male meiotic cell cycle. This process is distinct from mitotic cytokinesis because it is integrated into the specialized male meiotic program, which includes two meiotic divisions without an intervening S phase.
Why Is male meiosis cytokinesis Important in Cell Biology?
Male meiosis cytokinesis is fundamental for sexual reproduction because it ensures the proper segregation of haploid nuclei into individual gametes. Defects in this process lead to multinucleated cells, aneuploidy, and male sterility, which has significant implications for agriculture and human reproductive health. In Drosophila, studies of male meiosis cytokinesis have uncovered conserved mechanisms of contractile ring anchoring and membrane remodeling that are relevant to animal cell division. In plants, the process is a key determinant of pollen viability and crop yield, and it is highly sensitive to environmental stresses. Furthermore, the evolutionary diversity of male meiotic cytokinesis patterns provides insights into the adaptation of reproductive strategies in angiosperms.
• Ensures production of viable haploid gametes in plants and animals.
• Defects cause male sterility, impacting crop yields and reproductive health.
• Serves as a model for studying contractile ring anchoring and membrane trafficking.
• Reveals evolutionary adaptations in plant reproductive strategies.
• Links environmental stress responses to meiotic defects.
• Provides targets for genetic improvement of male fertility in crops.
• Contributes to understanding of cell cycle regulation during meiosis.
• Highlights the role of COPII proteins in cytokinesis.
• Informs studies on aneuploidy and developmental abnormalities.
• Offers insights into asynchronous nuclear divisions and bidirectional cytokinesis.
What Happens During male meiosis cytokinesis?
Initiation and Positioning of the Division Plane
In simple terms: The cell decides where to split after the nucleus divides.
In male meiosis, the division plane is established after nuclear division, often in coordination with the meiotic spindle. In Drosophila, the contractile ring is positioned at the cell equator, and its anchoring to the plasma membrane requires COPII-dependent vesicle trafficking. In plants, the division plane is determined by the position of the phragmoplast or cell plate, which forms between daughter nuclei. Studies in Magnolia denudata show that nuclear divisions can be asynchronous, and the division plane is established bidirectionally.
Contractile Ring Assembly and Constriction
In simple terms: A ring of proteins tightens like a drawstring to pinch the cell in two.
The contractile ring, composed of actin filaments and myosin II, assembles at the division plane and constricts to divide the cytoplasm. In Drosophila male meiosis, this ring is anchored to the plasma membrane by COPII proteins, and loss of these proteins leads to ring detachment and failed cytokinesis. Anillin and septins are also involved in stabilizing the ring. In plants, the contractile ring is replaced by a phragmoplast that directs vesicle fusion to form a new cell wall.
Membrane Remodeling and Abscission
In simple terms: The cell membrane seals off the two new cells.
After ring constriction, membrane remodeling and abscission complete the separation of daughter cells. In Drosophila male meiosis, COPII proteins are essential for maintaining the contractile ring anchored to the plasma membrane, and their depletion results in multinucleated spermatids. In plants, the phragmoplast guides the formation of the cell plate, which matures into a new cell wall. Cold stress in wheat disrupts this process, leading to aberrant cytokinesis during male meiosis I.
Coordination with Meiotic Nuclear Divisions
In simple terms: The cytoplasm splits at the right time after the nucleus divides.
Male meiosis involves two nuclear divisions, and cytokinesis must be coordinated with each division. In some plants, cytokinesis occurs simultaneously after both meiotic divisions, while in others it is successive. In Magnolia denudata, asynchronous nuclear divisions and bidirectional cytokinesis have been observed, indicating flexibility in the timing of cytokinesis. Heat stress in Arabidopsis interferes with chromosome segregation and cytokinesis, highlighting the sensitivity of this coordination.
Key Genes Involved in GO:0007112 male meiosis cytokinesis
The following genes and proteins have been implicated in male meiosis cytokinesis across model organisms.
| Gene | Major Role | Research Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Actin | Contractile ring component | Essential for ring assembly and constriction |
| Myosin II | Motor protein for ring contraction | Drives constriction force |
| Anillin | Scaffold protein stabilizing the ring | Links actin and myosin |
| Septins | Filament-forming proteins at the division site | Required for ring stability |
| COPII coat proteins | Vesicle trafficking to the plasma membrane | Maintain ring anchoring |
| Phragmoplast components | Plant-specific cell plate formation | Essential for plant cytokinesis |
| Kinesins | Microtubule motors | Involved in phragmoplast organization |
| Dynamin | Membrane scission | Required for abscission |
| Rho GTPase | Regulator of actin dynamics | Controls ring assembly |
| Formins | Actin nucleation | Promote actin filament formation |
| Profilin | Actin monomer binding | Regulates actin polymerization |
| Cofilin | Actin depolymerization | Facilitates ring turnover |
| Anillin-like proteins | Plant cytokinesis | Involved in cell plate formation |
| Exocyst complex | Vesicle tethering | Targets vesicles to the division site |
| Rab GTPases | Vesicle trafficking | Regulate membrane delivery |
| SNARE proteins | Membrane fusion | Mediate vesicle fusion at the division site |
| Microtubule-associated proteins | Spindle and phragmoplast organization | Coordinate nuclear division and cytokinesis |
How Is male meiosis cytokinesis Regulated?
Male meiosis cytokinesis is regulated by both cell cycle machinery and environmental signals. In Drosophila, the COPII secretory pathway is essential for maintaining contractile ring anchoring, and its regulation is tied to the meiotic cell cycle. In plants, abiotic stresses such as heat and cold can disrupt cytokinesis by interfering with chromosome segregation and membrane trafficking. The process is also influenced by developmental cues that determine whether cytokinesis is simultaneous or successive, as seen in different angiosperm species. Additionally, cell polarity and asynchronous nuclear divisions can modulate the timing and direction of cytokinesis in Magnolia denudata.
male meiosis cytokinesis and Human Disease
| Gene | Disease / Biology | Potential Experimental Model |
|---|---|---|
| COPII proteins | Male sterility in Drosophila | Drosophila knockout |
| Actin | Cytokinesis failure | Drosophila or plant mutants |
| Myosin II | Multinucleation | Drosophila mutants |
| Phragmoplast components | Pollen abortion in plants | Arabidopsis knockout |
| Thermosensitive genes | Cold-induced male sterility in wheat | Wheat thermosensitive line |
Male Sterility in Plants
Defects in male meiosis cytokinesis lead to the formation of multinucleated microspores and pollen abortion, resulting in male sterility. This is particularly relevant in crops such as wheat, where cold stress contributes to aberrant cytokinesis during male meiosis I in thermosensitive genic male sterile lines. Heat stress in Arabidopsis also interferes with chromosome segregation and cytokinesis, reducing fertility.
Reproductive Disorders in Animals
In animal models, failure of male meiosis cytokinesis results in multinucleated spermatids and defective sperm production. Drosophila mutants with defective COPII proteins exhibit failed cytokinesis and male sterility, providing insights into conserved mechanisms that may be relevant to human reproductive disorders.
Cancer and Aneuploidy
While direct links between male meiosis cytokinesis and cancer are not well established, the mechanisms of contractile ring assembly and membrane trafficking are shared with mitotic cytokinesis. Understanding these processes can inform studies on aneuploidy and genomic instability in cancer cells.
From male meiosis cytokinesis-Related Genes to Experimental Models
| Research Question | Suitable Model |
|---|---|
| What is the role of COPII in ring anchoring? | Drosophila knockout of COPII subunits |
| How does heat stress affect cytokinesis? | Arabidopsis heat stress treatment |
| What is the evolutionary pattern of male meiotic cytokinesis? | Comparative study of angiosperms |
| How is cytokinesis coordinated with asynchronous nuclear divisions? | Magnolia denudata |
| What is the role of actin regulators? | Drosophila point mutations in actin regulators |
| How does cold stress disrupt cytokinesis? | Wheat thermosensitive genic male sterile line |
How to Study the male meiosis cytokinesis Process
| Method | What It Measures | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|
| Live-cell imaging | Contractile ring dynamics | Drosophila spermatocytes |
| Immunofluorescence | Protein localization | Plant meiocytes |
| RNA-seq | Gene expression changes | Stress-treated Arabidopsis |
| Proteomics | Protein abundance | Drosophila testes |
| Electron microscopy | Ultrastructure of division site | Magnolia denudata |
| Genetic screens | Identification of essential genes | Drosophila |
| CRISPR knockout | Gene function | Plant and animal models |
Genetic Screens and Mutant Analysis
Forward genetic screens in Drosophila have identified genes required for male meiosis cytokinesis, such as COPII components. In plants, mutant analysis in Arabidopsis and wheat has revealed stress-sensitive pathways.
Live-Cell Imaging
Live-cell imaging of fluorescently tagged actin, myosin, and membrane markers allows real-time visualization of contractile ring dynamics and membrane remodeling during male meiosis cytokinesis.
Transcriptomics and Proteomics
RNA-seq and proteomics can identify genes and proteins differentially expressed during male meiosis cytokinesis, providing candidates for functional studies.
Electron and Confocal Microscopy
Electron microscopy and confocal microscopy reveal ultrastructural details of the division plane, cell plate formation, and multinucleation phenotypes.
How CRISPR Can Be Used to Study GO:0007112 male meiosis cytokinesis
Knockout
CRISPR knockout of candidate genes such as COPII subunits in Drosophila or phragmoplast components in Arabidopsis can reveal their essential roles in male meiosis cytokinesis.
Point Mutation
Point mutations in actin or myosin can be introduced to dissect specific residues required for contractile ring function during male meiosis.
Knock-in
Knock-in of fluorescent tags (e.g., GFP) allows live-cell imaging of contractile ring proteins and membrane markers in male meiocytes.
Overexpression
Overexpression of regulators such as Rho GTPases or anillin can test their sufficiency to drive or disrupt cytokinesis in male meiosis.
How EDITGENE Supports male meiosis cytokinesis Research
Researchers studying male meiosis cytokinesis-related genes often need to determine whether a candidate gene is causally involved in the process, and CRISPR-based models provide a precise way to test gene function in relevant cell types.
Contact EDITGENE today to design your custom CRISPR model for male meiosis cytokinesis research.
Frequently Asked Questions About male meiosis cytokinesis
What is male meiosis cytokinesis?
Male meiosis cytokinesis (GO:0007112) is the division of the cytoplasm during male meiosis to produce two daughter cells, as defined by the Gene Ontology.
What genes are involved in male meiosis cytokinesis?
Key genes include actin, myosin II, anillin, septins, and COPII coat proteins, as identified in Drosophila and plant models.
Why is male meiosis cytokinesis important?
It ensures the production of viable haploid gametes and defects can lead to male sterility.
How is male meiosis cytokinesis studied?
Common methods include genetic screens, live-cell imaging, and CRISPR knockout in model organisms like Drosophila and Arabidopsis.
What is the role of COPII in male meiosis cytokinesis?
COPII proteins maintain the contractile ring anchoring to the plasma membrane during cytokinesis in Drosophila male meiosis.
How does heat stress affect male meiosis cytokinesis?
Heat stress interferes with chromosome segregation and cytokinesis during male meiosis in Arabidopsis thaliana.
What is the difference between male and female meiosis cytokinesis?
Male meiosis cytokinesis is specialized for spermatogenesis or pollen formation, while female meiosis often has asymmetric division; the GO term specifically covers the male process.
Which model organisms are used to study male meiosis cytokinesis?
Drosophila melanogaster, Arabidopsis thaliana, Magnolia denudata, and Triticum aestivum are commonly used.
What happens when male meiosis cytokinesis fails?
Failure results in multinucleated cells, aneuploidy, and male sterility.
How can CRISPR help study male meiosis cytokinesis?
CRISPR knockout, point mutation, knock-in, and overexpression models allow precise functional dissection of genes involved in this process.
Conclusion
Male meiosis cytokinesis (GO:0007112) is a specialized cell cycle process essential for male fertility in plants and animals. Research across model organisms has revealed conserved and lineage-specific mechanisms, including contractile ring anchoring by COPII proteins in Drosophila and phragmoplast-mediated cell plate formation in plants. Environmental stresses such as heat and cold can disrupt this process, leading to male sterility. Continued investigation using CRISPR and advanced imaging will further elucidate the regulatory networks and evolutionary adaptations of male meiosis cytokinesis.
References
- 1. De Storme N et al.. 2013. Cytokinesis in plant male meiosis.. Plant Signal Behav 8(3):e23394 PMID: 23333967
- 2. Giansanti MG et al.. 2001. Drosophila male meiosis as a model system for the study of cytokinesis in animal cells.. Cell Struct Funct 26(6):609-17 PMID: 11942616
- 3. Giansanti MG et al.. 2012. Cytokinesis in Drosophila male meiosis.. Spermatogenesis 2(3):185-196 PMID: 23094234
- 4. Lei X et al.. 2020. Heat stress interferes with chromosome segregation and cytokinesis during male meiosis in Arabidopsis thaliana.. Plant Signal Behav 15(5):1746985 PMID: 32275182
- 5. Hu M et al.. 2021. Cell polarity, asynchronous nuclear divisions, and bidirectional cytokinesis in male meiosis in Magnolia denudata.. Protoplasma 258(3):621-632 PMID: 33389128
- 6. Matsuura Y et al.. 2024. Essential Role of COPII Proteins in Maintaining the Contractile Ring Anchoring to the Plasma Membrane during Cytokinesis in Drosophila Male Meiosis.. Int J Mol Sci 25(8) PMID: 38674111
- 7. Hu M et al.. 2024. A possible pattern in the evolution of male meiotic cytokinesis in angiosperms.. AoB Plants 16(2):plae017 PMID: 38585158
- 8. Tang Z et al.. 2011. Cold stress contributes to aberrant cytokinesis during male meiosis I in a wheat thermosensitive genic male sterile line.. Plant Cell Environ 34(3):389-405 PMID: 21062315
