Big Lessons from Little Yeast: Budding and Fission Yeast Centrosome Structure, Duplication, and Function

• Published in: Annual review of genetics 2017-11, Vol.51 (1), p.361-383
• Main Authors: Cavanaugh, Ann M, Jaspersen, Sue L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cell cycle; Cell Cycle - genetics; Cell Cycle Proteins - genetics; Cell Cycle Proteins - metabolism; Cell division; centrosome; Centrosome - metabolism; Centrosome - ultrastructure; Centrosomes; Chromosome number; Chromosomes; Chromosomes, Fungal - metabolism; Chromosomes, Fungal - ultrastructure; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; Eukaryotes; Fungi; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal; microtubule; Microtubules; Microtubules - genetics; Microtubules - metabolism; Microtubules - ultrastructure; Mitosis; mitotic spindle; nuclear envelope; Nuclear Pore - genetics; Nuclear Pore - metabolism; Nuclear Pore - ultrastructure; nuclear pore complex; Proteome - genetics; Proteome - metabolism; Repressor Proteins - genetics; Repressor Proteins - metabolism; Reproduction (copying); Saccharomyces cerevisiae - genetics; Saccharomyces cerevisiae - metabolism; Saccharomyces cerevisiae - ultrastructure; Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins - genetics; Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins - metabolism; Schizosaccharomyces - genetics; Schizosaccharomyces - metabolism; Schizosaccharomyces - ultrastructure; Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins - genetics; Schizosaccharomyces pombe Proteins - metabolism; Sfi1; Spindle pole bodies; Spindle Pole Bodies - genetics; Spindle Pole Bodies - metabolism; Spindle Pole Bodies - ultrastructure; spindle pole body; Structure-function relationships; Tubulin; Tubulin - genetics; Tubulin - metabolism; Yeast; Yeasts; γ-tubulin complex
• ISSN: 0066-4197; 1545-2948
• DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genet-120116-024733

Centrosomes are a functionally conserved feature of eukaryotic cells that play an important role in cell division. The conserved γ-tubulin complex organizes spindle and astral microtubules, which, in turn, separate replicated chromosomes accurately into daughter cells. Like DNA, centrosomes are duplicated once each cell cycle. Although in some cell types it is possible for cell division to occur in the absence of centrosomes, these divisions typically result in defects in chromosome number and stability. In single-celled organisms such as fungi, centrosomes [known as spindle pole bodies (SPBs)] are essential for cell division. SPBs also must be inserted into the membrane because fungi undergo a closed mitosis in which the nuclear envelope (NE) remains intact. This poorly understood process involves events similar or identical to those needed for de novo nuclear pore complex assembly. Here, we review how analysis of fungal SPBs has advanced our understanding of centrosomes and NE events.