The γ-TuRC: mastermind of multipurpose actions at the centrosome
The γ-Tubulin Ring Complex (γ-TuRC) comprised of γ-tubulin and γ-tubulin complex proteins (GCP2-6) serves as the main protein scaffold for microtubule nucleation in most animal cells. In lower eukaryotes such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a simpler scaffold consisting of γ-tubulin and GCP2-3 bestows...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article (Journal) |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
19 February 2026
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| In: |
Cellular and molecular life sciences
Year: 2026, Volume: 83, Pages: 1-19 |
| ISSN: | 1420-9071 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s00018-026-06080-w |
| Online Access: | Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-026-06080-w
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| Author Notes: | Swarnendu Mukhopadhyay, Qi Gao, Tapas K. Manna, Elmar Schiebel |
| Summary: | The γ-Tubulin Ring Complex (γ-TuRC) comprised of γ-tubulin and γ-tubulin complex proteins (GCP2-6) serves as the main protein scaffold for microtubule nucleation in most animal cells. In lower eukaryotes such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a simpler scaffold consisting of γ-tubulin and GCP2-3 bestows its microtubule nucleating function. Although most microtubules in interphase cells are nucleated at the centrosome, this process relies on only a small fraction of the total soluble γ-tubulin that becomes recruited and activated there. A number of accessory proteins have been identified to be involved in the recruitment, stabilization and activation of the γ-TuRC presumably at the right time and subcellular region of the centrosome. Though, function of the γ-TuRC was attributed to microtubule nucleation by the pericentriolar material of the centrosome, very recent studies have uncovered its localization inside centrioles. Within centrioles, γ-TuRC interacts with the eight-subunit augmin complex. Its localization to the inner centriole suggests that γ-TuRC and augmin possess functions beyond microtubule nucleation. Moreover, the levels and organization of γ-TuRC differ markedly between fully mature and growing centrioles, indicating cell cycle-dependent recruitment and functional reprogramming during centriole biogenesis. Finally, we discuss how mutations in γ-TuRC genes impact development and are linked to cancer progression. |
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| Item Description: | Online veröffentlicht: 19. Februar 2026 Gesehen am 23.03.2026 |
| Physical Description: | Online Resource |
| ISSN: | 1420-9071 |
| DOI: | 10.1007/s00018-026-06080-w |