Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 16, 2026

Quantitative Immunofluorescence Assay to Measure the Variation in Protein Levels at Centrosomes
Published on: December 20, 2014
Steroidogenic factor 1 (NR5A1) maintains centrosome homeostasis in steroidogenic cells by restricting centrosomal
Chia-Yih Wang1, Yung-Hsin Kao, Pao-Yen Lai
1Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
Abstract:
Steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1 or NR5A1) is a nuclear receptor that controls adrenogenital cell growth and differentiation. Adrenogenital primordial cells from SF-1 knockout mice die of apoptosis, but the mechanism by which SF-1 regulates cell survival is not entirely clear. Besides functioning in the nucleus, SF-1 also resides in the centrosome and controls centrosome homeostasis. Here, we show that SF-1 restricts centrosome overduplication by inhibiting aberrant activation of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) in the centrosome. SF-1 was found to be associated with Ku70/Ku80 only in the centrosome, sequestering them from the catalytic subunit of DNA-PK (DNA-PKcs). In the absence of SF-1, DNA-PKcs was recruited to the centrosome and activated, causing aberrant activation of centrosomal Akt and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2)/cyclin A and leading to centrosome overduplication. Centrosome overduplication caused by SF-1 depletion was averted by the elimination of DNA-PKcs, Ku70/80, or cyclin A or by the inhibition of CDK2 or Akt. In the nucleus, SF-1 did not interact with Ku70/80, and SF-1 depletion did not activate a nuclear DNA damage response. Centriole biogenesis was also unaffected. Thus, centrosomal DNA-PK signaling triggers centrosome overduplication, and this centrosomal event, but not the nuclear DNA damage response, is controlled by SF-1.
Insights
Steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) prevents centrosome overduplication by inhibiting DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) signaling within the centrosome, ensuring cell survival and proper cell division.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Nuclear Receptors
Background:
- Steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) is crucial for adrenogenital cell development.
- SF-1's role in cell survival, particularly its mechanism in preventing apoptosis, requires further elucidation.
- SF-1 also plays a role in centrosome homeostasis beyond its nuclear functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanism by which SF-1 regulates cell survival.
- To determine SF-1's role in centrosome homeostasis and its impact on cell division.
- To elucidate SF-1's interaction with DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) signaling in the centrosome.
Main Methods:
- Investigated SF-1 localization and function in centrosomes using knockout mouse models.
- Analyzed the interaction of SF-1 with Ku70/80 and DNA-PKcs in the centrosome.
- Assessed the impact of SF-1 depletion on centrosomal Akt, CDK2/cyclin A activation, and centrosome overduplication.
- Examined nuclear DNA damage response and centriole biogenesis upon SF-1 depletion.
Main Results:
- SF-1 sequesters Ku70/80 in the centrosome, preventing DNA-PKcs recruitment and activation.
- SF-1 depletion leads to aberrant centrosomal DNA-PK activation, activating Akt and CDK2/cyclin A, resulting in centrosome overduplication.
- Centrosome overduplication due to SF-1 loss is rescued by inhibiting DNA-PK, Ku70/80, cyclin A, CDK2, or Akt.
- SF-1 depletion does not affect nuclear DNA damage response or centriole biogenesis.
Conclusions:
- SF-1 controls centrosome homeostasis by inhibiting aberrant centrosomal DNA-PK signaling.
- SF-1's centrosomal function is critical for preventing centrosome overduplication and ensuring cell survival.
- This study reveals a novel role for SF-1 in regulating cell division through centrosomal pathways distinct from nuclear DNA damage responses.
Related Concept Videos
Transducer Mechanism: Nuclear Receptors
About 48 different soluble family members of nuclear receptors are identified that can be divided into two main classes:
Regulation of Nuclear Protein Sorting
Negative Regulator Molecules
Inhibition of Cdk Activity
Master Transcription Regulators
Molecular Factors Affecting Cell Division
Several proteins function as internal regulators to ensure each cell cycle stage is completed faithfully before proceeding to the next. Regulator molecules may act directly or influence the activity or production of other...

