centrosomal

Centrosomal is an adjective relating to the centrosome, the cytoplasmic organelle that acts as the main microtubule-organizing center in animal cells. The centrosome consists of a pair of centrioles arranged orthogonally and surrounded by pericentriolar material, which contains proteins essential for microtubule nucleation.

It organizes the mitotic spindle during cell division by nucleating and organizing microtubules via γ-tubulin ring complexes in the pericentriolar material. The centrosome duplicates once per cell cycle, ensuring two centrosomes form to promote bipolar spindle formation. Pericentriolar material scaffolds coordinate microtubule nucleation and organization. In many species centrioles are involved in ciliogenesis and in linking cell cycle events to changes in cell structure and polarity.

Centrosomal assembly and function are regulated by cell cycle kinases such as PLK4 and other centriole duplication factors (e.g., STIL, SAS-6). Abnormal centrosome numbers or function can lead to defective spindle formation and aneuploidy; centrosomal defects have been linked to developmental disorders, including microcephaly, and to cancer progression. The centrosome also participates in broader cellular organization beyond mitosis, influencing cell shape, polarity, and intracellular transport.

In different organisms there are conserved centrosomal proteins and pathways, with ongoing research aiming to map the full complement of centrosomal components and their interactions. Understanding centrosomal integrity is important for insights into cell cycle control, development, and disease.