Centrosome loss in the evolution of planarians

Science. 2012 Jan 27;335(6067):461-3. doi: 10.1126/science.1214457. Epub 2012 Jan 5.

Abstract

The centrosome, a cytoplasmic organelle formed by cylinder-shaped centrioles surrounded by a microtubule-organizing matrix, is a hallmark of animal cells. The centrosome is conserved and essential for the development of all animal species described so far. Here, we show that planarians, and possibly other flatworms, lack centrosomes. In planarians, centrioles are only assembled in terminally differentiating ciliated cells through the acentriolar pathway to trigger the assembly of cilia. We identified a large set of conserved proteins required for centriole assembly in animals and note centrosome protein families that are missing from the planarian genome. Our study uncovers the molecular architecture and evolution of the animal centrosome and emphasizes the plasticity of animal cell biology and development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Evolution*
  • Centrioles / metabolism
  • Centrioles / ultrastructure
  • Centrosome* / metabolism
  • Centrosome* / ultrastructure
  • Cilia / metabolism
  • Cilia / ultrastructure
  • Genome, Helminth
  • Helminth Proteins / genetics*
  • Helminth Proteins / metabolism
  • Movement
  • Phenotype
  • Planarians / genetics*
  • Planarians / physiology
  • Planarians / ultrastructure*
  • RNA Interference
  • Regeneration
  • Selection, Genetic

Substances

  • Helminth Proteins