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Centrioles and Centrosomes

Centrioles and Centrosomes

Most animal cells comprise a pair of centrioles together called a centrosome. The cell duplicates its centrosome and contains two centrosomes side-by-side, which begin to move apart during the prophase. As the centrosomes migrate to two different sides of the cell, microtubules start extending from each centrosome toward the other end. The mitotic spindle is composed of the centrosomes and their emerging microtubules.
Near the end of the prophase, also called late prophase or "prometaphase,"...

Centrosome Duplication

Centrosome Duplication

The primary microtubule organizing center (MTOC) in animal cells is the centrosome. A centrosome has two cylindrical centrioles at its core. Each centriole consists of nine sets of three microtubules held together by proteins. The centrioles are positioned at right angles to each other and surrounded by a shapeless protein cloud called the pericentriolar matrix, or pericentriolar material (PCM).
To ensure that each daughter cell receives a centrosome after cell division, centrosome duplication...

Centrosome Duplication

Centrosome Duplication

The primary microtubule organizing center (MTOC) in animal cells is the centrosome. A centrosome has two cylindrical centrioles at its core. Each centriole consists of nine sets of three microtubules held together by proteins. The centrioles are positioned at right angles to each other and surrounded by a shapeless protein cloud called the pericentriolar matrix, or pericentriolar material (PCM).
To ensure that each daughter cell receives a centrosome after cell division, centrosome duplication...

Spindle Assembly

Spindle Assembly

Spindle assembly occurs through three, often coexisting, pathways – the centrosome-mediated pathway, the chromatin-mediated pathway, and the microtubule-mediated pathway – collectively contributing to form a robust spindle apparatus.
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...

Histone Variants at the Centromere

Histone Variants at the Centromere

Histone variants are the histone proteins with structural and sequence variations. These variants may be regarded as “mutant” forms that replace their canonical histone counterparts in the nucleosomes. Specific post-translational modifications on the histone variants enable further chromatin complexity and regulate tissue-specific gene expression. The most common histone variants are from histone H2A, H2B, and linker histone H1 families. However, several variants of histone H3 variants are also...

The Mitotic Spindle

The Mitotic Spindle

The mitotic spindle—or spindle apparatus—is a eukaryotic, cytoskeletal structure made up of long protein fibers called microtubules. Formed during cell division, the spindle separates sister chromatids and moves them to opposite ends of a parental cell, where the now individual chromosomes are distributed to two daughter cell nuclei.
The bipolar configuration of the mitotic spindle facilitates chromosomal segregation, preparing the cell for division. One mechanism that ensures bipolar mitotic...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Imaging Centrosomes in Fly Testes

Imaging Centrosomes in Fly Testes

Published on: September 20, 2013

Centrosome biogenesis and function: centrosomics brings new understanding.

Mónica Bettencourt-Dias¹, David M Glover

¹Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Cell Cycle Regulation Laboratory, Rua da Quinta Grande, 6, P-2780-156 Oeiras, Portugal. mdias@igc.gulbenkian.pt

Nature Reviews. Molecular Cell Biology

|May 17, 2007

Summary

Centrosomes, crucial for animal cell stability, have had their function and regulation clarified by new genomics and proteomics approaches, termed centrosomics. This research provides a framework for understanding centrosome behavior and its role in human diseases.

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Last Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Imaging Centrosomes in Fly Testes

Imaging Centrosomes in Fly Testes

Published on: September 20, 2013

Quantitative Immunofluorescence Assay to Measure the Variation in Protein Levels at Centrosomes

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Published on: December 20, 2014

Live Cell Imaging to Assess the Dynamics of Metaphase Timing and Cell Fate Following Mitotic Spindle Perturbations

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Published on: September 20, 2019

Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Molecular Biology
Genomics and Proteomics

Background:

Centrosomes, present in most animal cells since the 19th century, duplicate once per cell cycle to maintain stable numbers.
Despite their importance, centrosome function and regulation have been poorly understood and debated.
Recent advances are beginning to elucidate these fundamental aspects.

Purpose of the Study:

To understand the function and regulation of centrosomes.
To explore the biogenesis of centrosomes.
To provide a framework for understanding centrosome behavior and its link to human diseases.

Main Methods:

Application of genomics and proteomics techniques, collectively termed 'centrosomics'.
Identification of novel molecules involved in centrosome function.

Main Results:

New molecular discoveries have shed light on centrosome function.
The evolutionary conservation of centrosome function has been highlighted.
A conceptual framework for understanding centrosome behavior has been established.

Conclusions:

Centrosomics has significantly advanced our understanding of centrosome biology.
The findings provide insights into how centrosome dysfunction contributes to human diseases.
Further research can build upon this framework to explore therapeutic strategies.