Protocadherin 7 localizes to the plasma membrane during mitosis and promotes cytokinesis by a palmitoylation-dependent mechanism

Successful cell division requires dramatic reorganization of the cell cortex in coordination with actomyosin cytoskeleton organization, membrane trafficking and cell adhesion. Although the contractile actomyosin ring is considered as hallmark of cytokinesis, in some cell types cell adhesion systems have been shown to drive cytokinesis independently from actomyosin function. We previously reported that Protocadherin 7 (PCDH7) localizes to the mitotic cortex which is required for building up the full mitotic rounding pressure. Here, we show that PCDH7 localizes to the mitotic cell cortex and to the cleavage furrow by a palmitoylation-dependent mechanism. At the cleavage furrow, PCDH7 facilitates the activation of myosin II and successful cytokinesis. Strikingly, PCDH7 promotes cytokinesis even when the myosin II contractility and integrin mediated adhesion are blocked. This work describes a palmitoylation-dependent cortical reorganization which promotes cytokinesis under different conditions.