CGC Bibliography Paper 5452

The ZYG-1 kinase, a mitotic and meiotic regulator of centriole replication.

O'Connell KF

Medline:

Citation:

Oncogene 21: 6201-6208 2002

Type:

REVIEW

Genes:

zyg-1

Abstract:

As the primary microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) of the cell, the centrosome is a major structural determinant of the mitotic spindle. Like each chromosome, the centrosome must replicate once and only once per cell cycle in order to maintain the fidelity of nuclear division and the integrity of the genome. While the mechanisms that govern this process are not well understood and are sure to be complex, centrosome duplication can be described as involving three general steps. First, the centrosome splits to form two centrosomes, each with half the reproductive capacity of the original. Second, a replication step restores each new centrosome to full reproductive capacity. Third, the replicated centrosomes sever any remaining connections and move apart. In the past few years, several factors have been identified that regulate each of these steps. Among these factors is the ZYG-1 kinase of C. elegans, which functions during both mitotic and meiotic divisions (O?Connell et al., 2001).