The role of MEN (mitosis exit network) proteins in the cytokinesis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Authors Javier Jiménez Department of Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of Salamanca/CSIC, Spain Beatriz A. Castelao Department of Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of Salamanca/CSIC, Spain Alberto González-Novo Department of Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of Salamanca/CSIC, Spain Miguel Sánchez-Pérez Department of Microbiology and Genetics, Institute of Microbiology and Biochemistry, University of Salamanca/CSIC, Spain Abstract At the latest stages of their cell cycle, cells carry out crucial processes for the correct segregation of their genetic and cytoplasmic material. In this work, we provide evidence demonstrating that the cell cycle arrest of some MEN (mitosis exit network) mutants in the anaphase-telophase transition is bypassed. In addition, the ability of cdc15 diploid mutant strains to develop non-septated chains of cells, supported by nuclear division, is shown. This phenotype is also displayed by haploid cdc15 mutant strains when cell lysis is prevented by osmotic protection, and shared by other MEN mutants. By contrast, anaphase-telophase arrest is strictly observed in double MEN-FEAR (fourteen early anaphase release) mutants. In this context, the overexpression of a FEAR component, SPO12, in a MEN mutant background enhances the ability of MEN mutants to bypass cell cycle arrest. Taken together, these data suggest a critical role of Cdc15 and other MEN proteins in cytokinesis, allowing a new model for their cellular function to be proposed. [Int Microbiol 2005; 8(1):33-42] Downloads PDF Published 2010-02-27 Issue Vol. 8 No. 1 (2005) Section Research Articles License Submission of a manuscript to International Microbiology implies: that the work described has not been published before, including publication in the World Wide Web (except in the form of an Abstract or as part of a published lecture, review, or thesis); that it is not under consideration for publication elsewhere; that all the coauthors have agreed to its publication. The corresponding author signs for and accepts responsability for releasing this material and will act on behalf of any and all coauthors regarding the editorial review and publication process.If an article is accepted for publication in International Microbiology, the authors (or other copyright holder) must transfer to the journal the right–not exclusive–to reproduce and distribute the article including reprints, translations, photographic reproductions, microform, electronic form (offline, online) or any other reproductions of similar nature. Nevertheless, all article in International Microbiology will be available on the Internet to any reader at no cost. The journal allows users to freely download, copy, print, distribute, search, and link to the full text of any article, provided the authorship and source of the published article is cited. The copyright owner's consent does not include copying for new works, or resale. In these cases, the specific written permission of International Microbiology must first be obtained.Authors are requested to create a link to the published article on the journal's website. The link must be accompanied by the following text: "The original publication is available on LINK at <http://www.im.microbios.org>. Please use the appropiate URL for the article in LINK. Articles disseminated via LINK are indexed, abstracted, and referenced by many abstracting and information services, bibliographic networks, subscription agencies, library networks, and consortia.