Relationship between movement and aggregation of centrioles in syncytia and formation of microtubule bundles

Previous reports from this laboratory have provided evidence suggesting that microtubules and 10-nm filaments serve both cytoskeletal and force-generating functions in the intracellular movement and positioning of nuclei in syncytia. It has been found that, during the process of cell fusion and nuclear migration in syncytia induced by the paramyxovirus simian virus 5, centrioles are transported in the cytoplasm and form large aggregates. These aggregates are usually found in regions adjacent to rows of aligned nuclei and large bundles of microtubules and 10-nm filaments. Colchicine prevents the translocation and aggregation of centrioles, but cytochalasin B has little effect on this process. These results suggest that the same cytoskeletal elements that are involved in nuclear migration and positioning--i.e., microtubules and 10-nm filaments--are also involved in the transport of centrioles. The possibility that aggregates of centrioles may serve as centers for the organization of microtubules and 10-nm filaments into the large bundles observed in the syncytia is discussed.