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Staining of midbody in human cell line U-2 OS (HPA044257)
Scale bar represents 10µm
Cytokinetic bridge
The cytokinetic bridge is a structure present during the last stage of cell division, the cytokinesis. It is composed of tubulin filaments protruding from the cleavage furrow. The width and length of the cytokinetic bridge is dependent on the progression of the cytokinesis. In the latest stage of cytokinesis the bridge is cleaved and the cells are separated.
Midbody
The midbody can be referred to as the tip of the cytokinetic bridge and consists of tightly bundled microtubules, which embed the midbody ring. It is responsible for many cytokinesis-related processes including cytoskeleton remodeling or degradation of cell cycle regulators.
Midbody ring
The midbody ring is a circular structure that mainly consists of actin filaments. It is embedded in the space between the midbodies of the daughter cells. It is mainly responsible for the cleavage of the cytokinetic bridge, thus finishing the process of cytokinesis.
Immunofluorescent staining
The cytokinetic bridge staining appears as a staining of the microtubule filaments protruding from the two daughter cells. The midbody staining is characterized by an exclusive staining of the tips of the microtubule filaments at the contact surface whereas the midbody ring appears as a circular structure in the space between the two midbodies.
