The myriad roles of Anillin during cytokinesis

Anillin is a highly conserved multidomain protein that interacts with cytoskeletal components as well as their regulators. Throughout phylogeny, Anillins contribute to cytokinesis, the cell shape change that occurs at the end of meiosis and mitosis to separate a cell into daughter cells. Failed cytokinesis results in binucleation, which can lead to genomic instability. Study of Anillin in several model organisms has provided us with insight into how the cytoskeleton is coordinated to ensure that cytokinesis occurs with high fidelity. Here we review Anillin's interacting partners and the relevance of these interactions in vivo. We also discuss questions of how these interactions are coordinated, and finally provide some perspective regarding Anillin's role in cancer. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.