Post-karyokinesis centrosome movement leaves a trail of unanswered questions

Abstract

The centrosome is a complex structure composed of a large number of proteins (pericentriolar material, PCM) usually organized around a pair of centrioles (or a centriole duplex). This structure is capable of nucleating and organizing microtubules, duplication, and motility. In general, episodes of dramatic centrosome movement correlate with periods of cellular reorganization and nowhere is cellular reorganization more apparent, or more important, than in the periods before and after cell division. It is now clear that centrosome movement occurs not only prior to cell division but also at its completion, in concert with cytokinesis. The focus of this review is the newly emerging picture of centrosome activity during the post-karyokinesis period and the role that this activity might play in the transition of cells from mitosis to interphase. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.