Centrosomes in Branching Morphogenesis

Abstract

The centrosome, a major microtubule organizer, has important functions in regulating the cytoskeleton as well as the position of cellular structures and orientation of cells within tissues. The centrosome serves as the main cytoskeleton-organizing centre in the cell and is the classical site of microtubule nucleation and anchoring. For these reasons, centrosomes play a very important role in morphogenesis, not just in the early stages of cell divisions but also in the later stages of organogenesis. Many organs such as lung, kidney and blood vessels develop from epithelial tubes that branch into complex networks. Cells in the nervous system also form highly branched structures in order to build complex neuronal networks. During branching morphogenesis, cells have to rearrange within tissues though multicellular branching or through subcellular branching, also known as single-cell branching. For highly branched structures to be formed during embryonic development, the cytoskeleton needs to be extensively remodelled. The centrosome has been shown to play an important role during these events.

Keywords: Axon; Branching; Centrosome; Dendrite; Endothelium; Microtubule; Neuron; Single cell; Trachea; Tubulogenesis; Vasculogenesis.