In cell biology, the centrosome is an organelle that serves as the main microtubule organizing center (MTOC) of the animal cell, as well as a regulator of cell-cycle progression. The centrosome provides structure for the cell. The centrosome is thought to have evolved only in the metazoan lineage of eukaryotic cells. Fungi and plants lack centrosomes and therefore use other structures to organize their microtubules. Although the centrosome has a key role in efficient mitosis in animal cells, it is not essential in certain fly and flatworm species.
Aurora kinase A also known as serine/threonine-protein kinase 6 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the AURKA gene.
Serine/threonine-protein kinase Nek2 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the NEK2 gene.
Centrosome-associated protein 350 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CEP350 gene.
Serine/threonine-protein kinase PLK4 also known as polo-like kinase 4 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the PLK4 gene. The Drosophila homolog is SAK, the C elegans homolog is zyg-1, and the Xenopus homolog is Plx4.
Centrosomal protein 170kDa, also known as CEP170, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CEP170 gene.
Centrosomal protein of 68 kDa is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CEP68 gene. CEP68 is required for centrosome cohesion. It decorates fibres emanating from the proximal ends of centrioles. During mitosis, CEP68 dissociates from centrosomes. CEP68 and rootletin depend both on each other for centriole association, and both also require CEP250 for their function.
Centriolar coiled-coil protein of 110 kDa also known as centrosomal protein of 110 kDa or CP110 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CCP110 gene. It is a cell cycle-dependent CDK substrate and regulates centrosome duplication. CP110 suppresses a cilia assembly program.
Centrin-1 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CETN1 gene. It belongs to the centrin family of proteins.
Ninein-like protein is a protein that in humans is encoded by the NINL gene. It is part of the centrosome.
Centrosomal protein of 135 kDa is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CEP135 gene. It is part of the centrosome throughout the cell cycle, being distributed in the pericentriolar material. CEP135 is required for the centriolar localization of CEP250.
Rootletin also known as ciliary rootlet coiled-coil protein (CROCC) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CROCC gene. Rootletin is a component of the ciliary rootlet, and, together with CEP68 and CEP250, is required for centrosome cohesion.
Centrosomal protein of 192 kDa, also known as Cep192, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CEP192 gene. It is the homolog of the C. elegans and D. melanogaster gene SPD-2.
Centrosomal protein of 164 kDa, also known as CEP164, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CEP164 gene. Its function appears two be twofold: CEP164 is required for primary cilium formation. Furthermore, it is an important component in the response to DNA damage by UV light.
Centrosomal protein of 76 kDa, also known as CEP76, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CEP76 gene.
Centrosomal protein of 78 kDa, also known as Cep78, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CEP78 gene.
Centrosomal protein of 152 kDa, also known as Cep152, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CEP152 gene. It is the ortholog of the Drosophila melanogaster gene asterless (asl) and both are required for centriole duplication.
Spindle assembly abnormal protein 6 homolog (SAS-6) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SASS6 gene.
Centrosomes are the major microtubule organizing centers (MTOC) in mammalian cells. Failure of centrosome regulation can cause mistakes in chromosome segregation and is associated with aneuploidy. A centrosome is composed of two orthogonal cylindrical protein assemblies, called centrioles, which are surrounded by a protein dense amorphous cloud of pericentriolar material (PCM). The PCM is essential for nucleation and organization of microtubules. The centrosome cycle is important to ensure that daughter cells receive a centrosome after cell division. As the cell cycle progresses, the centrosome undergoes a series of morphological and functional changes. Initiation of the centrosome cycle occurs early in the cell cycle in order to have two centrosomes by the time mitosis occurs.
Sfi1 homolog, spindle assembly associated (yeast) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SFI1 gene. It localizes to the centriole, and its S. pombe ortholog has been shown to be involved in spindle pole body duplication. SFI1 forms a complex with centrin 2.
