Actin cytoskeletal remodeling in mitosis: regulatory mechanisms and links to oncogenesis

The precise execution of eukaryotic cell division relies on a tightly regulated interplay of biochemical and biomechanical signals, underpinned by the continuous and highly coordinated reorganization of the cytoskeleton. Although the mitotic spindle has long been the primary focus of studies on cell division, the dynamic remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton is equally critical for faithful chromosome segregation and the physical separation of daughter cells. From the initial establishment of mitotic rounding to the final step of membrane abscission during cytokinesis, actin microfilaments - together with a diverse array of actin-binding proteins (ABPs) - orchestrate the morphological and mechanical transitions that accompany division. In this systematic review, we provide a comprehensive synthesis of the functional versatility of actin and its regulatory networks. By examining the regulation of filamentous actin (F-actin) throughout mitosis, we highlight how dysregulated actin remodeling can compromise spindle organization, cytokinesis, and genome stability, while also engaging broader oncogenic programs that collectively establish a close mechanistic connection between actin dysfunction and tumorigenesis.