Centrosomes and cell polarity

This presentation will examine centrosomes and cell polarity with a focus on the essential structure and functions of centrosomes, including their role as microtubule organizing centers and in maintaining cellular architecture. We will examine their critical involvement in cell division, particularly in spindle formation and chromosome segregation and discuss how centrosomes help establish cell polarity and direct asymmetric cell division. Additionally, the lecture will highlight the connection between centrosome dysfunction diseases such as cancer and ciliopathies and the impact on tissue health. Centrosomes are key organelles in animal cells acting as the main microtubule organizing center or MTOC. A centrosome consists of a pair of perpendicularly arranged centrioles surrounded by a protein rich pericentriolar matrix. This matrix contains proteins like gamma tubulin essential for microtubule nucleation and anchoring. The spatial organization provided by the centrosome supports organelle positioning, intracellular transport and cell shape. During cell division, the centrosome's role becomes prominent. As a cell prepares for mitosis, each centrosome duplicates resulting in two that move to opposite poles. These organize the mitotic spindle a microtubule structure separating duplicated chromosomes. Precise control ensures each daughter cell receives the correct genetic material. Failures can cause chromosome missegregation and contribute to genomic instability, a hallmark of cancer.