Main description:

The book provides a comprehensive overview of classic and modern approaches of centrosome research, including new aspects of centrosome functions focusing on primary cilia and their implications in numerous diseases. In addition, several chapters raise awareness of centrosomes in areas that have not yet fully considered the centrosome as an organelle that impacts other organelle functions directly or indirectly. It further relates centrosome functions to other research areas such as aging and stem cell research.

Since its discovery almost 150 years ago the centrosome is increasingly being recognized as a most impactful organelle for its role, not only as primary microtubule organizing center (MTOC) but also as a major communication center for signal transduction pathways and as a center for proteolytic activities. Its significance for cell cycle regulation has been well studied and we now also know that centrosome dysfunctions are implicated in numerous diseases and disorders including cancer, cystic diseases of the kidney, liver fibrosis, cardiac defects, obesity and several other diseases and disorders.

This new volume reviews the latest advances in the field and provides valuable background information that is readily understandable for the newcomer and the experienced centrosome researcher alike. Due to the interdisciplinary of the subject, it is a valuable resource for researchers and clinicians working in biomedical research, cell biology, cancer biology, reproduction and developmental biology, neuroscience and stem cell research.

Contents:

Introduction

1) Cell and Molecular Biology of Centrosome Structure and Function

1.1 Historical Perspectives

1.2 Centrosome Structure, Molecular Composition, and

Function

1.3 Centrosome Matrix and Centrosomal Proteins

Centrosome Proteins

1.4 Centriole Structure and Cell Cycle-specific centriole

dynamics

1.5 In vivo imaging of Centrosomes

2) The centrosome Cycle within the cell cycle

2.1 Centrosome-nuclear interactions

2.2 Centrosome maturation, mitosis and cell division

this all needs sorting

2.3 Chromosome (DNA)-centrosome synchronization cycle - this all needs sorting

2.4 Centrosome-Golgi relationships and interconnected functions

2.5 Primary cilia

3) Centrosome as center for proteolytic activity and dysfunctions associated with pathogenesis of human disease

3.1 Centrosomes as center for proteolytic activity and

dysfunctions in disease

3.2 Other centrosome-related dysfunctions in disease

3.3 Vesicular transport dysfunctions and disease

3.4 Basal body dysfunctions and disease

4) Centrosome dysfunctions in cancer

Needs sorting

- Viral transformation and aneuploidy

- Oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes

- Centrosomes as targets for cancer therapy

5) Virus exploitation of centrosomes

6) Centrosomes in reproduction

Introduction

6.1 The importance of choosing an appropriate animal

model

6.2 Centrosome terminology questions in reproductive cells

6.3 Centrosome reduction during gametogenesis

6.4 The Sperm Centriole Complex Before Fertilization

6.5 Centrosomes in unfertilized eggs and oocytes

6.6 Centrosomes during oocyte maturation, fertilization

and first cell division

- oocyte maturation

- fertilization and first cell division

6.7 Effects of aging on oocyte centrosomes (something like

this)

7) Transition from centrosomal to non-centrosomal microtubule organization during cellular polarization

8) External and environmental effects on Centrosomes

8.1 Effects of ionizing radiation on centrosomes

8.2 Environmental and genotoxic stress on centrosomes

9) Centrosomes and centrosome equivalents in other systems

9.1 Stem cells

9.2 Neuronal cells

9.3 T cells (cytotoxic T-lymphocytes; CTLs)

9.4 Centrosomes and centrosome equivalents in other

systems and in model organisms

- Parasites

- Yeast (spindle pole bodies; SPBs)

- Dictyostelium (nuclear associated bodies; SPBs)

- C elegans

- Drosophila

10) Non-centrosomal microtubule organization in plant cells