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Related Concept Videos

Centrioles and Centrosomes01:13

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,"...
Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures01:32

Assembly of Complex Microtubule Structures

Complex microtubule structures are present in resting cells and in dividing cells. In resting cells, they are responsible for maintaining the cellular architecture, tracks for intracellular transport, positioning of organelles, assembly of cilia and flagella. They mediate the bipolar spindle assembly for chromosomal segregation and positioning of the cell division plate in dividing cells. The formation of microtubule complex structures depends on the cell type, cell stage, and cell function.
Centrosome Duplication02:25

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 Duplication02:25

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 Assembly02:50

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...
Microtubule Formation01:23

Microtubule Formation

Microtubules are dynamic structures that undergo continuous assembly and disassembly. They originate from specialized multi-protein complexes known as microtubule organizing centers or MTOCs. Within the MTOC, the point of origin of the microtubule is known as the minus end, while the end radiating outward is the plus end. Microtubules serve two primary functions — the organization of spindle complexes to separate sister chromatids during mitotic or meiotic cell division and the formation of...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 2026

In Situ Visualization of Axon Growth and Growth Cone Dynamics in Acute Ex Vivo Embryonic Brain Slice Cultures
10:45

In Situ Visualization of Axon Growth and Growth Cone Dynamics in Acute Ex Vivo Embryonic Brain Slice Cultures

Published on: October 14, 2021

Centrosomes, microtubules and neuronal development.

Marijn Kuijpers1, Casper C Hoogenraad

  • 1Cell Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Molecular and Cellular Neurosciences
|July 5, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The centrosome organizes microtubules crucial for early neuronal development. However, recent findings suggest its role diminishes in later neuronal stages, highlighting the importance of both centrosomal and acentrosomal microtubule organization.

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 31, 2026

In Situ Visualization of Axon Growth and Growth Cone Dynamics in Acute Ex Vivo Embryonic Brain Slice Cultures
10:45

In Situ Visualization of Axon Growth and Growth Cone Dynamics in Acute Ex Vivo Embryonic Brain Slice Cultures

Published on: October 14, 2021

Live Imaging of Mitosis in the Developing Mouse Embryonic Cortex
09:25

Live Imaging of Mitosis in the Developing Mouse Embryonic Cortex

Published on: June 4, 2014

In vivo Assessment of Microtubule Dynamics and Orientation in Caenorhabditis elegans Neurons
07:43

In vivo Assessment of Microtubule Dynamics and Orientation in Caenorhabditis elegans Neurons

Published on: November 20, 2021

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Complex nervous systems depend on coordinated neuronal proliferation, migration, and differentiation.
  • The centrosome is a primary microtubule-organizing center, essential for neuronal structural organization and remodeling.
  • Mutations in centrosomal proteins are linked to severe neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of the centrosome in neuronal development.
  • To discuss the importance of both centrosomal and acentrosomal microtubule organization.
  • To examine experimental findings on the centrosome's function at different neuronal development stages.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of experimental findings.
  • Analysis of studies on microtubule organization in neurons.
  • Discussion of centrosomal and acentrosomal roles.

Main Results:

  • The centrosome is critical for early neuronal migration and polarization.
  • Experimental evidence suggests a reduced role for the centrosome in later neuronal development.
  • Both centrosomal and acentrosomal microtubule organization are vital for neuronal development.

Conclusions:

  • The centrosome's role in neuronal development is stage-dependent.
  • Understanding microtubule organization beyond the centrosome is key for neurodevelopmental research.
  • This review synthesizes current knowledge on microtubule dynamics in neuronal function.