Ultrastructural diversity between centrioles of eukaryotes

Abstract

Several decades of centriole research have revealed the beautiful symmetry present in these microtubule-based organelles, which are required to form centrosomes, cilia and flagella in many eukaryotes. Centriole architecture is largely conserved across most organisms; however, individual centriolar features such as the central cartwheel or microtubule walls exhibit considerable variability when examined with finer resolution. In this paper, we review the ultrastructural characteristics of centrioles in commonly studied organisms, highlighting the subtle and not-so-subtle differences between specific structural components of these centrioles. In addition, we survey some non-canonical centriole structures that have been discovered in various species, from the coaxial bicentrioles of protists and lower land plants to the giant irregular centrioles of the fungus gnat Sciara. Finally, we speculate on the functional significance of these differences between centrioles, and the contribution of individual structural elements such as the cartwheel or microtubules towards the stability of centrioles.