Centrioles via Centrin

Figure. Centrin and DNA through cell cycle. Single plane images of hiPS cells expressing mTagRFP-T–tagged centrin (green) and labeled with Hoechst dye (DNA; blue) imaged on a spinning-disk confocal microscope. Cells labeled A-F represent different stages of the cell cycle (see diagram). A) G1-phase, B) early S-phase, C) later S-phase, D) G2/M-phase and E–F) M-phase contain centrioles at distinguishable stages of duplication (see zoomed in images and cell cycle diagram).

Observations

• Centrin is a key protein in centrioles, which are small cylindrical structures made primarily of tubulin. Centrioles are important components of centrosomes, the structures that form microtubule organizing centers. Centrioles are also found at the base of cilia and flagella.
• Centrioles localize to the very top of the hiPS cells in interphase, consistent with the presence of primary cilia, which emanate from the centrioles. Centriole duplication and separation is observed throughout the cell cycle consistent with models of cell cycle regulation of centriole behavior. Small daughter centrioles are seen to appear next to their mother centrioles and grow in size.
• See FAQs for reasoning behind on our choice of red-fluorescent protein tagging.