German, Japanese researchers find cell division in moss, animals more similar than thought

Cell division in moss and animals is more similar than previously thought, according to a new study.

Researchers from the University of Freiburg in Germany and Nagoya University in Japan have been studying the process of cell division, known as mitosis, in plants. They have discovered how the mitotic apparatus is localized in the cells of moss plants, known as Physcomitrella. 

The team has explored how plants determine the plane of cell division and has found an unexpected process that is important for the position of the cell division site in plants.

Using moss cells, the researchers said, they were able to observe an unexpected process that is important for the position of the cell division site in plants. The process could be far more similar to animal cell division than previously thought.

"Using moss cells we were able to observe an unexpected process that is important for the position of the cell division site in plants," said Ralf Reski of the University of Freiburg. "The process could be far more similar to animal cell division than previously thought."

Normally, microtubules form a mitotic spindle in cells that draws the chromosomes apart and arranges them into two daughter cells. In animal cells, the spindle moves during cell division and the cells divide where it comes to rest. In plant cells, the spindle remains in the same place and is determined by a belt of microtubules and actin filaments. 

However, the team found that moss cells do not form this belt and yet the spindle remains static in the same place. This led the researchers to investigate the molecular biology of the cells.

After modifying spreading earthmoss plants, the researchers observed mitosis in moss plants without certain genes. They were surprised to find that in these cells, the spindles now moved during cell division, which was previously unknown in plants. 

The researchers then influenced the actin skeleton of the cells and showed that actin filaments move the mitotic spindle. This discovery is helping researchers to identify which signals determine the fate of cells as they develop and could improve understanding of plant growth and the ability to influence it in the future.