BACKGROUND: Centrosomes, the major organizers of the microtubule network in most animal cells, are composed of centrioles embedded in a web of pericentriolar material (PCM). Recruitment and stabilization of PCM on the centrosome is a centriole-dependent function. Compared to the considerable number of PCM proteins known, the molecular characterization of centrioles is still very limited. Only a few centriolar proteins have been identified so far in Drosophila, most related to centriole duplication. RESULTS: We have cloned asterless (asl) and found that it encodes a 120 kD highly coiled-coil protein that is a constitutive pancentriolar and basal body component. Loss of asl function impedes the stabilization/maintenance of PCM at the centrosome. In embryos deficient for Asl, development is arrested right after fertilization. Asl shares significant homology with Cep 152, a protein described as a component of the human centrosome for which no functional data is yet available. CONCLUSIONS: The cloning of asl offers new insight into the molecular composition of Drosophila centrioles and a possible model for the role of its human homolog. In addition, the phenotype of asl-deficient flies reveals that a functional centrosome is required for Drosophila embryo development.
BACKGROUND: Centrosomes, the major organizers of the microtubule network in most animal cells, are composed of centrioles embedded in a web of pericentriolar material (PCM). Recruitment and stabilization of PCM on the centrosome is a centriole-dependent function. Compared to the considerable number of PCM proteins known, the molecular characterization of centrioles is still very limited. Only a few centriolar proteins have been identified so far in Drosophila, most related to centriole duplication. RESULTS: We have cloned asterless (asl) and found that it encodes a 120 kD highly coiled-coil protein that is a constitutive pancentriolar and basal body component. Loss of asl function impedes the stabilization/maintenance of PCM at the centrosome. In embryos deficient for Asl, development is arrested right after fertilization. Asl shares significant homology with Cep 152, a protein described as a component of the human centrosome for which no functional data is yet available. CONCLUSIONS: The cloning of asl offers new insight into the molecular composition of Drosophila centrioles and a possible model for the role of its human homolog. In addition, the phenotype of asl-deficient flies reveals that a functional centrosome is required for Drosophila embryo development.
Authors: Hannah Müller; David Schmidt; Sandra Steinbrink; Ekaterina Mirgorodskaya; Verena Lehmann; Karin Habermann; Felix Dreher; Niklas Gustavsson; Thomas Kessler; Hans Lehrach; Ralf Herwig; Johan Gobom; Aspasia Ploubidou; Michael Boutros; Bodo M H Lange Journal: EMBO J Date: 2010-09-03 Impact factor: 11.598
Authors: Martin P Kracklauer; Heather M Wiora; William J Deery; Xin Chen; Benjamin Bolival; Dwight Romanowicz; Rebecca A Simonette; Margaret T Fuller; Janice A Fischer; Kathleen M Beckingham Journal: J Cell Sci Date: 2010-07-20 Impact factor: 5.285
Authors: Sara Moutinho-Pereira; Nico Stuurman; Olga Afonso; Marten Hornsveld; Paulo Aguiar; Gohta Goshima; Ronald D Vale; Helder Maiato Journal: Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A Date: 2013-11-19 Impact factor: 11.205