Emerging roles of centrosome cohesion

Abstract

The centrosome, consisting of centrioles and the associated pericentriolar material, is the main microtubule-organizing centre (MTOC) in animal cells. During most of interphase, the two centrosomes of a cell are joined together by centrosome cohesion into one MTOC. The most dominant element of centrosome cohesion is the centrosome linker, an interdigitating, fibrous network formed by the protein C-Nap1 anchoring a number of coiled-coil proteins including rootletin to the proximal end of centrioles. Alternatively, centrosomes can be kept together by the action of the minus end directed kinesin motor protein KIFC3 that works on interdigitating microtubules organized by both centrosomes and probably by the actin network. Although cells connect the two interphase centrosomes by several mechanisms into one MTOC, the general importance of centrosome cohesion, particularly for an organism, is still largely unclear. In this article, we review the functions of the centrosome linker and discuss how centrosome cohesion defects can lead to diseases.

New insights into the centrosome‐associated spliceosome components as regulators of ciliogenesis and tissue identity

“…NEK2 dissolves the centrosome linker in G2/prophase through phosphorylation of the linker components C-Nap1, rootletin and CEP68 (Remo et al, 2020). This allows the two centrosomes to move apart and to organize the two poles of the mitotic spindle (Dang & Schiebel, 2022). In cancer cells, NEK2 accumulates in nuclear speckles and regulates alternative splicing by phosphorylating SRSF1 (Figure 2b).…”

Centrosome linker diversity and its function in centrosome clustering and mitotic spindle formation

“…It has been proposed that a multitude of low-affinity interactions between linker filaments are the basis for the linker-based centrosome cohesion (Dang & Schiebel, 2022). An alternative model for centrosome cohesion is the phase separation of C-Nap1 at the proximal end of centrioles.…”

The Dual Function of RhoGDI2 in Immunity and Cancer

“…Changes in the actin cytoskeleton affect other cellular responses such as changes in gene transcription, the microtubule cytoskeleton or vesicular transport. Besides transport, mobility and mechanical support, the microtubule cytoskeleton is also involved in chromosome segregation, centriole duplication and formation of primary cilia [ 98 , 99 , 100 ]. Rho GTPases have been extensively probed for their roles in processes involved in centriole duplication and cell division [ 101 , 102 , 103 ].…”