A Review of Centriole Activity, and Wrongful Activity, during Cell Division

Abstract

This is a review paper on centriole behavior and their role in enabling cell division and duplication. The paper is based primarily on articles published in this, the 21st century. Following a description of centriole geometry, the paper discusses centriole duplication and the ensuring events leading to cell division. From a structural perspective each centriole is seen to be a cylindrical composition of nine blades, each having three microtubules which are themselves hollow cylinders approximately 400 nm long, with inner and outer diameters of 15 and 25 nm. The paper then discusses the nucleation of these microtubules. The paper concludes with a description of centriole malfunction and overduplication (supernumerary centrioles), leading to clusters of centrioles —a hallmark of cancer cells. These centriole clusters thus form “biomarkers” for tumor imaging and treatment.