Comparative Biology of Centrosomal Structures in Eukaryotes

Dear Colleagues,

Centrosome-like organelles are the main microtubule-organizing center in animals, fungi and lower eukaryotes. They duplicate once, and only once, in the cell cycle prior to mitosis, and during mitosis they are critically involved in spindle formation, chromosome segregation and cytokinesis. Due to their central role in microtubule organization, centrosomes are also crucial for cell architecture in all organisms using microtubules for organelle positioning. They generally consist of a central, highly organized structure serving as a scaffold for microtubule nucleation complexes. Different types of centrosomal organelles have emerged during eukaryotic evolution. The most common type, the centriole-containing centrosome, is found among Opisthokonta in animals, in some Amoebozoa and among Bikonta, for example, in lower plants. All these organisms use centrioles also as basal bodies of cilia. However, organisms having lost locomotion by cilia or flagellae, such as many fungi and amoebae, contain no centrioles and possess acentriolar centrosomes, which are sometimes called nucleus-associated bodies (NABs) or spindle pole bodies (SPBs). In the light of evolution, our current understanding of centrosome biogenesis and function is primarily based on studies in only one eukaryotic supergroup, the Opisthokonta, which includes metazoans and fungi. This Special Issue of Cells should improve our understanding of centrosome function and evolution by including researchers working not only with Opisthokonts but also model organisms from other eukaryotic supergroups, i.e., Amoebozoa, Archaeplastida, Excavata and SAR (Stramenopile, Alveolata, Rhizaria). Comparing centrosome structure, function and association with nuclear structures will also improve our understanding of ancient centrosomal functions that are independent of the formation of centrioles.

Prof. Dr. Ralph Gräf
Guest Editor

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• centrosome
• spindle-pole body
• nucleus associated body
• mitosis