Myosin II is activated by the monophosphorylation of its regulatory light chain (MRLC) at Ser19 (1P-MRLC). Its ATPase activity is further enhanced by MRLC diphosphorylation at Thr18/Ser19 (2P-MRLC). As these phosphorylated MRLCs are colocalized with their heavy chains at the contractile ring in dividing cells, we believe that the phosphorylated MRLC acts as a subunit of the activated myosin II during cytokinesis. However, the distinct role(s) of 1P- and 2P-MRLC during cytokinesis has not been elucidated. In this study, a monoclonal antibody (4F12) specific for 2P-MRLC was raised and used to examine the roles of 2P-MRLC in cultured mammalian cells. Our confocal microscopic observations using 4F12 revealed that 2P-MRLC localized to the contractile ring, and, unexpectedly, to the midzone also. Interestingly, 2P-MRLC did not colocalize with 1P-MRLC, myosin II heavy chain, and F-actin at the midzone. These results suggest that 2P-MRLC has a role different from that of 1P-MRLC at the midzone, and is not a subunit of myosin II. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.