@article{bellingham-johnstun_tyree_martinez-baird_thorn_laplante_2023, title={Actin-Microtubule Crosstalk Imparts Stiffness to the Contractile Ring in Fission Yeast}, volume={12}, ISSN={["2073-4409"]}, DOI={10.3390/cells12060917}, abstractNote={Actin–microtubule interactions are critical for cell division, yet how these networks of polymers mutually influence their mechanical properties and functions in live cells remains unknown. In fission yeast, the post-anaphase array (PAA) of microtubules assembles in the plane of the contractile ring, and its assembly relies on the Myp2p-dependent recruitment of Mto1p, a component of equatorial microtubule organizing centers (eMTOCs). The general organization of this array of microtubules and the impact on their physical attachment to the contractile ring remain unclear. We found that Myp2p facilitates the recruitment of Mto1p to the inner face of the contractile ring, where the eMTOCs polymerize microtubules without their direct interaction. The PAA microtubules form a dynamic polygon of Ase1p crosslinked microtubules inside the contractile ring. The specific loss of PAA microtubules affects the mechanical properties of the contractile ring of actin by lowering its stiffness. This change in the mechanical properties of the ring has no measurable impact on cytokinesis or on the anchoring of the ring. Our work proposes that the PAA microtubules exploit the contractile ring for their assembly and function during cell division, while the contractile ring may receive no benefit from these interactions.}, number={6}, journal={CELLS}, author={Bellingham-Johnstun, Kimberly and Tyree, Zoe L. and Martinez-Baird, Jessica and Thorn, Annelise and Laplante, Caroline}, year={2023}, month={Mar} }
 @article{bellingham-johnstun_thorn_belmonte_laplante_2023, title={Microtubule competition and cell growth recenter the nucleus after anaphase in fission yeast}, volume={34}, ISSN={["1939-4586"]}, DOI={10.1091/mbc.E23-01-0034}, abstractNote={ Active centering of the nucleus by microtubules is critical for symmetrical cell division in fission yeast. We determined that microtubule competition and cell growth influence this mechanism, resulting in the slow recentering of the nucleus after anaphase. }, number={8}, journal={MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL}, author={Bellingham-Johnstun, Kimberly and Thorn, Annelise and Belmonte, Julio M. and Laplante, Caroline}, year={2023}, month={Jul} }
 @article{bellingham-johnstun_commer_levesque_tyree_laplante_2022, title={Imp2p forms actin-dependent clusters and imparts stiffness to the contractile ring}, volume={33}, ISSN={["1939-4586"]}, DOI={10.1091/mbc.E22-06-0221}, abstractNote={ The contractile ring must anchor to the plasma membrane and cell wall to transmit its tension. We combine single molecule localization microscopy and laser ablation to reveal the molecular organization of Imp2p, a putative protein anchor, and its role in the mechanical properties of the contractile ring. }, number={14}, journal={MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL}, author={Bellingham-Johnstun, Kimberly and Commer, Blake and Levesque, Brie and Tyree, Zoe L. and Laplante, Caroline}, year={2022}, month={Dec} }
 @article{moshtohry_bellingham-johnstun_elting_laplante_2022, title={Laser ablation reveals the impact of Cdc15p on the stiffness of the contractile ring}, volume={33}, ISSN={["1939-4586"]}, DOI={10.1091/mbc.E21-10-0515}, abstractNote={ We use laser ablation to sever the constricting contractile ring of fission yeast cells and reveal the impact of Cdc15p, a putative anchoring protein, on its mechanical properties. Our work suggests that Cdc15p, and thus the anchoring mechanism, impacts the stiffness of the contractile ring more than the viscous drag. }, number={6}, journal={MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF THE CELL}, author={Moshtohry, Mohamed and Bellingham-Johnstun, Kimberly and Elting, Mary Williard and Laplante, Caroline}, year={2022}, month={May} }
 @article{amaral_mcqueen_bellingham-johnstun_poston_darville_nagarajan_laplante_kaser_2021, title={Host-Pathogen Interactions of Chlamydia trachomatis in Porcine Oviduct Epithelial Cells}, volume={10}, ISSN={["2076-0817"]}, url={https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/10/1270}, DOI={10.3390/pathogens10101270}, abstractNote={Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) causes the most prevalent bacterial sexually transmitted disease leading to ectopic pregnancy and infertility. Swine not only have many similarities to humans, but they are also susceptible to Ct. Despite these benefits and the ease of access to primary tissue from this food animal, in vitro research in swine has been underutilized. This study will provide basic understanding of the Ct host–pathogen interactions in porcine oviduct epithelial cells (pOECs)—the counterparts of human Fallopian tube epithelial cells. Using NanoString technology, flow cytometry, and confocal and transmission-electron microscopy, we studied the Ct developmental cycle in pOECs, the cellular immune response, and the expression and location of the tight junction protein claudin-4. We show that Ct productively completes its developmental cycle in pOECs and induces an immune response to Ct similar to human cells: Ct mainly induced the upregulation of interferon regulated genes and T-cell attracting chemokines. Furthermore, Ct infection induced an accumulation of claudin-4 in the Ct inclusion with a coinciding reduction of membrane-bound claudin-4. Downstream effects of the reduced membrane-bound claudin-4 expression could potentially include a reduction in tight-junction expression, impaired epithelial barrier function as well as increased susceptibility to co-infections. Thereby, this study justifies the investigation of the effect of Ct on tight junctions and the mucosal epithelial barrier function. Taken together, this study demonstrates that primary pOECs represent an excellent in vitro model for research into Ct pathogenesis, cell biology and immunity.}, number={10}, journal={PATHOGENS}, publisher={MDPI AG}, author={Amaral, Amanda F. and McQueen, Bryan E. and Bellingham-Johnstun, Kimberly and Poston, Taylor B. and Darville, Toni and Nagarajan, Uma M. and Laplante, Caroline and Kaser, Tobias}, year={2021}, month={Oct} }
 @article{bellingham-johnstun_anders_ravi_bruinsma_laplante_2021, title={Molecular organization of cytokinesis node predicts the constriction rate of the contractile ring}, volume={220}, ISSN={["1540-8140"]}, DOI={10.1083/jcb.202008032}, abstractNote={The molecular organization of cytokinesis proteins governs contractile ring function. We used single molecule localization microscopy in live cells to elucidate the molecular organization of cytokinesis proteins and relate it to the constriction rate of the contractile ring. Wild-type fission yeast cells assemble contractile rings by the coalescence of cortical proteins complexes called nodes whereas cells without Anillin/Mid1p (Δmid1) lack visible nodes yet assemble contractile rings competent for constriction from the looping of strands. We leveraged the Δmid1 contractile ring assembly mechanism to determine how two distinct molecular organizations, nodes versus strands, can yield functional contractile rings. Contrary to previous interpretations, nodes assemble in Δmid1 cells. Our results suggest that Myo2p heads condense upon interaction with actin filaments and an excess number of Myo2p heads bound to actin filaments hinders constriction thus reducing the constriction rate. Our work establishes a predictive correlation between the molecular organization of nodes and the behavior of the contractile ring.}, number={3}, journal={JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY}, author={Bellingham-Johnstun, Kimberly and Anders, Erica Casey and Ravi, John and Bruinsma, Christina and Laplante, Caroline}, year={2021}, month={Mar} }