Structural insights shed light onto septin assemblies and function

While the original septin mutants were identified more than 30 years ago for their role in cytokinesis [Hartwell, LH: Genetic control of the cell division cycle in yeast. IV. Genes controlling bud emergence and cytokinesis. Exp Cell Res 1971, 69: 265-276], the architecture of septin complexes and higher order structures has remained a mystery up until very recently. Over the last few months a number of converging approaches have suddenly provided a wealth of structural information about the different levels of septin organization. Here, we review these advancements and highlight their functional consequences.