Centrosome structure and microtubule nucleation in animal cells

Genetic studies in the budding yeast have led to the molecular characteriza tion of gamma-tubulin associated proteins and to the identification of orth ologues in animal cells. While the gamma-tubulin complex is more complex in animal cells than in budding yeast, its function is probably maintained th roughout evolution. In this review we discuss some of the possible regulati ons of the nucleation activity in the light of the centrosome structure. A potential cross-talk between microtubule nucleation and centrosome duplicat ion is suggested by some, still scarce, data. (C) 1999 Editions scientifiqu es et medicales Elsevier SAS.