Centrosomes back in the limelight

摘要

Centrosomes and centrioles were 'born' towards the end of the nineteenth century when they were first spotted and studied by astute cell and developmental biologists, including Edouard Van Beneden, as well as Theodor Boveri andWalther Fleming, who coined the terms 'centrosome' and 'centriole', respectively, that still designate these structures today. There was much initial excitement about centrosomes and centrioles, fuelled notably by their suggestive position in the cell centre, by their role during fertilization and by seminal experiments that lead to the formulation of the chromosomal theory of heredity. Daring postulates were put forth about their importance as polar corpuscle and organizers of cell division, as coordinators of karyokinesis and cytokinesis, or as drivers of malignant transformation. After this flamboyant debut, centrosomes and centrioles gradually left centre stage as the twentieth century unfolded. The advent of electron-microscopy in the 1950s revived interest in these structures, in particular when it became apparent that centrioles have a remarkable ninefold radial symmetric arrangement of microtubules that is also imparted onto cilia and flagella. However, detailed understanding of the mechanisms underlying the assembly and function of centrosomes and centrioles would have to wait several more decades.