Effects of rok1 gene deletion on mitosis in fission yeast at appropriate and stressful temperatures and its molecular mechanism

The rok1 gene encodes the ATP-dependent RNA helicase Rok1, which is involved in regulating the maturation of SSU-rRNA and thus ribosome biogenesis. However, the regulation of cellular mitotic dynamics by the rok1 gene deletion is currently unclear. In this study, RNA-Seq and bioinformatics analyses were used to reveal the key genes. Analysis of RNA sequencing results showed that down-regulation of sgf73, shd1 and up-regulation of myo51, blt1 resulted in delayed actin ring assembly and slowed actin ring contraction. Up-regulation of psm1 and psc3 were key genes affecting the ability of kinetochores to move on the spindle and the cohesion of sister chromatids. This study revealed that the deletion of the rok1 gene delayed the formation and contraction of actin rings and affected the separation process of kinetochores, which provides a certain scientific basis for further exploring the function of the Rok1 protein in cell division.