Towards a molecular understanding of cytokinesis

In this review, we focus an recent discoveries regarding the molecular basi s of cleavage furrow positioning and contractile ring assembly and contract ion during cytokinesis. However, some of these mechanisms might have differ ent degrees of importance ipl different organisms. This synthesis attempts to uncover common themes and to reveal potential relationships that might c ontribute to the biochemical and mechanical aspects of cytokinesis, Because the information about cytokinesis is still fairly rudimentary, our goal is not to present a definitive model but to present testable hypotheses that might lead to a better mechanistic understanding of the process.