The centrosome opens the way to mitosis.
During mitosis, the interaction between chromosomes and microtubules requires nuclear envelope disassembly in prophase. Two articles in this issue of Developmental Cell show that centrosomes have a role in promoting nuclear envelope breakdown (Hachet et al., 2007; Portier et al., 2007). Surprisingly, the role of the centrosome in this process is independent of its role as a microtubule nucleation organelle. Instead, the centrosome seems to act as a spatial regulator for the activation of the Aurora A kinase.
Basto
Renata
R
Wellcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Gurdon Institute, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QR United Kingdom. r.basto@gurdon.cam.ac.uk
Pines
Jonathon
J
D000818:Animals; D064127:Aurora Kinases; D017173:Caenorhabditis elegans / Q000196:embryology / Q000235:genetics; D018385:Centrosome / Q000378:metabolism*; D002875:Chromosomes / Q000235:genetics; D008870:Microtubules / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D008938:Mitosis; D009685:Nuclear Envelope / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D008941:Spindle Apparatus
D064127:Aurora Kinases; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases