2
$\begingroup$

I was learning about the centriole from different sources , and a common misconception I had was that centriole forms spindle fibres but the reality is very different.

Gamma Tubulin protein found in pericentriolar material serves as a anchor for formation of Microtubule,

So my question is

What is the function of centrioles( two barrel shaped structure perpendicular to each other) in the formation of microtubule? Is it gives support to the pericentriolar material thoughts its appendages? As we can see it is not involved in microtubule formation

photo

enter image description here

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
2
$\begingroup$

What is the function of centrioles( two barrel-shaped structure perpendicular to each other) in the formation of microtubules?

Let's clear your basics first, Centrioles have no function in the formation of microtubules. Why ??

Because, Structurally, centrioles are made up of microtubules.

Even this paper states

At the core of most centrioles is a microtubule scaffold formed from a radial array of nine triplet microtubules.

The triplet microtubules define the cylindrical barrel of centrioles and basal bodies. The triplets are at a small angle off the circumference giving the centrioles the look of a turbine.

Eukaryotic centrioles consist of 9 triplet microtubules arranged in a particular spatial arrangement. Each microtubule has 3 tubules ie., A-, B- & C-tubules. That's even visible in the image you provided in the question.

As shown in image

Each tubule is a protofilament ie, a chain of 13-16 tubulin subunits. Each subunit is a heterodimer of α-tubulin and β-tubulin molecules. The overall tubulin structure can differ from species to species based on the tubulin genes they encode for. Many species also have γ-, δ-, and ε-tubulin encoding genes.

The same tubulin proteins are also found in structures of cilia, flagella, and basal bodies.

enter image description here

REFERENCES

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
2
  • $\begingroup$ So centriole is just a scaffold of centrosome nothing more??? $\endgroup$
    – Samardeep singh
    Jul 26 at 12:27
  • $\begingroup$ Apart from centriole, centrosome also contains pericentrin, ninein and gamma tubulin molecules as pericentriolar material. So I won't say, centriole is just a scaffold of centrosome. $\endgroup$
    – classy_BLINK
    Jul 26 at 12:46

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.