Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 25, 2026

Reconstitution of Basic Mitotic Spindles in Spherical Emulsion Droplets
Published on: August 13, 2016
Centrosome maturation and duplication in C. elegans require the coiled-coil protein SPD-2
Catherine A Kemp1, Kevin R Kopish, Peder Zipperlen
1Laboratory of Biochemistry and Genetics, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Abstract:
Centrosomes are major determinants of mitotic spindle structure, but the mechanisms regulating their behavior remain poorly understood. The spd-2 gene of C. elegans is required for centrosome assembly or "maturation." Here we show that spd-2 encodes a coiled-coil protein that localizes within pericentriolar material (PCM) and in the immediate vicinity of centrioles. During maturation, SPD-2 gradually accumulates at the centrosome in a manner that is partially dependent on Aurora-A kinase and cytoplasmic dynein. Interestingly, SPD-2 interacts genetically with dynein heavy chain and SPD-5, another coiled-coil protein required for centrosome maturation. SPD-2 and SPD-5 are codependent for localization to the PCM, but SPD-2 localizes to centrioles independently of SPD-5. Surprisingly, we also find that SPD-2 is required for centrosome duplication and genetically interacts with ZYG-1, a kinase required for duplication. Thus, we have identified SPD-2 as a factor critical for the two basic functions of the centrosome-microtubule organization and duplication.
Related Concept Videos
Centrosome Duplication
To ensure that each daughter cell receives a centrosome after cell division, centrosome duplication...
Centrosome Duplication
To ensure that each daughter cell receives a centrosome after cell division, centrosome duplication...
Spindle Assembly
In most cells, centrosomes are the primary microtubule nucleation centers. In the centrosome-mediated pathway, the G2-prophase transition triggers centrosome maturation and increased microtubule nucleation. Progressive nucleation results in a microtubule array...
Centrioles and Centrosomes
Near the end of the prophase, also called late prophase or "prometaphase,"...
Cohesins
Cohesin complexes in Meiotic Division
Meiosis involves two distinct rounds of chromosomal segregation and cell divisions— Meiosis I followed by Meiosis II – producing four daughter cells. Meiosis I includes the separation of homologous...
The Spindle Assembly Checkpoint
Many proteins function together to control the spindle assembly checkpoint. Mutations affecting these proteins may allow cells to proceed into anaphase prematurely, resulting in the...

