Cdc42 GTPase activating proteins Rga4 and Rga6 coordinate septum synthesis and membrane trafficking at the division plane during cytokinesis.

ABSTRACT

Fission yeast cytokinesis is driven by simultaneous septum synthesis, membrane furrowing and actomyosin ring constriction. The septum consists of a primary septum flanked by secondary septa. First, delivery of the glucan synthase Bgs1 and membrane vesicles initiate primary septum synthesis and furrowing. Next, Bgs4 is delivered for secondary septum formation. It is unclear how septum synthesis is coordinated with membrane furrowing. Cdc42 promotes delivery of Bgs1 but not Bgs4. We find that after primary septum initiation, Cdc42 inactivators Rga4 and Rga6 localize to the division site. In rga4Δrga6Δ mutants, Cdc42 activity is enhanced during late cytokinesis and cells take longer to separate. Electron micrographs of the division site in these mutants exhibit malformed septum with irregular membrane structures. These mutants have a larger division plane with enhanced Bgs1 delivery but fail to enhance accumulation of Bgs4 and several exocytic proteins. Additionally, these mutants show endocytic defects at the division site. This suggests that Cdc42 regulates primary septum formation and only certain membrane trafficking events. As cytokinesis progresses Rga4 and Rga6 localize to the division site to decrease Cdc42 activity to allow coupling of Cdc42-independent membrane trafficking events with septum formation for proper septum morphology.