PCNT is critical for the association and conversion of centrioles to centrosomes during mitosis.

A centrosome consists of a pair of centrioles and pericentriolar material (PCM). We manipulated expression of PCNT, a key PCM protein, and investigated roles of PCM in centriole behavior during mitosis. Deletion of PCNT had little effect on interphase centrosomes. However, centrioles in PCNT-deleted mitotic cells prematurely separated and frequently amplified, revealing that centrioles are limited within the spindle poles by PCNT during mitosis. It is known that specific cleavage of PCNT is necessary for centriole separation during mitotic exit. We observed delayed centriole separation in the G0 phase when a non-cleavable mutant form of PCNT was removed or when PCNT was artificially cleaved by TEV protease. Furthermore, a daughter centriole converts to a mother centriole only after experiencing both mitotic exit and specific PCNT cleavage. Based on these results, we propose that a centriole pair disengages upon entering mitosis but remains associated with the surrounding PCM proteins throughout mitosis. During mitotic exit, specific cleavage of PCNT induces PCM disintegration. As a result, a daughter centriole separates from the mother centriole and converts to a young mother centriole.