Regulatory mechanisms and cellular functions of non-centrosomal microtubules

Abstract

Proper organization of microtubule (MT) arrays is essential for numerous cellular functions, including intracellular transport and cell migration. Although the centrosome generally serves as the primary MT-organizing centre in proliferating animal cells, MTs are also organized at the Golgi apparatus in a wide range of cell types to regulate Golgi ribbon formation that is required for polarized cell migration. Furthermore, differentiated epithelial cells and neurons possess organized non-centrosomal MTs predominantly at the apical cortical regions and the axonal and dendritic neurites, respectively, to establish and maintain their highly polarized morphology. Unlike radial arrays of centrosomal MTs, non-centrosomal MTs are organized into non-radial asymmetric network, which facilitates polarized transport and cell polarization. In this review, we will focus on recent advances in our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms and cellular functions of non-centrosomal MTs.