Item

Abstract

The centrosome of higher eukaryotic cells is the main microtubule-organising centre. To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying this organelle's biogenesis and important functions in several cellular processes, such as microtubule nucleation, cell division and stress response, it was critical to develop methods for isolating biochemically meaningful quantities of centrosomes. Centrosomes have been isolated from a variety of organisms and based on these preparations, numerous aspects of this intriguing organelle's morphological, functional and biochemical properties have been uncovered. Better isolation procedures along with the development of new technologies, like RNAi (ribonucleic acid interference) and the increasing accuracy of mass spectrometry and electron microscopy techniques, have profoundly improved our knowledge of the centrosome, leading to a better understanding of its implications in various cellular processes and in diseases.