CENTROSOME AS "A BRAIN" OF AN ANIMAL CELL
L. A. Mamon
Department of Genetics and Breeding of St. Petersburg State University;
e-mail: mamon@lm2010.spb.edu
Centrosomes are the major centre of microtubule nucleation and microtubule minus-ends concentration in
animal cells. Microtubule plus-ends are directed to a nucleus and chromosomes or to a cell cortex. The crossing
of signal transduction pathways and the network of interactions between signal molecules controlling cell cycle
are revealed in centrosomes. The ability of centrosomes for reduplication suggests the existence of hypothetic
template elements. It is attractive to suggest the essential role of specific centrosome-associated RNAs in biogenesis
of centrosomes. Untranslated RNAs playing a structural role and mRNAs that are localized in centrosomes
to regulate protein synthesis in close proximity to mitotic apparatus may be present among these RNAs. Centrosomes
positioning plays the important role in determining of cell polarity. Centrosomes are critical for the formation
and support of cilia and flagella having motility or sensory functions.
Key words: microtubules, cilia and flagella, spindle, centrosome RNAs
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