Open AccessUse of Ciliogenesis to Detect Aneugens: The Role of Primary Cilia
Author(s) -
Divi Kathyayini V.,
Ward Yvona,
Poirier Miriam C.,
Olivero Ofelia A.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
current protocols in toxicology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.449
H-Index - 23
eISSN - 1934-9262
pISSN - 1934-9254
DOI - 10.1002/0471140856.tx0313s66
Subject(s) - centrosome , ciliogenesis , cilium , microbiology and biotechnology , centriole , biology , basal body , dapi , mitosis , microtubule , cell , genetics , cell cycle , flagellum , apoptosis , gene
Primary cilia arise from the centrosomes of quiescent or post‐mitotic cells, and serve as sensory organelles that communicate mechanical and chemical stimuli from the environment to the interior of the cell. Cilium formation may, therefore, become a useful end point signaling exposure to genotoxins or aneugens. Here we have used the aneugen, zidovudine (AZT), an antiretroviral drug that induces DNA replication arrest and centrosomal amplification (>2 centrosomes per quiescent cell), to evaluate cilia formation in retinal epithelial (pigmented) cells. Since cilia are derived from centrosomes, and aneugens can induce centrosomal amplification, the production of multiple cilia arising from multiple centrosomes may reveal the aneugenic nature of the agents. Cells were exposed to AZT to induce centrosomal amplification, cultured without serum to allow the centrioles to develop cilia, and immunostained to visualize cilia and centrosomes. Nuclear DNA was stained with DAPI. Preliminary observations suggest that cells with multiple centrosomes are able to generate extra cilia. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.