A centrosome asymmetry switch in fly neural stem cells
Centrosomes, the main microtubule organizing centers (MTOCs) of metazoan cells, contain an older mother and a younger daughter centriole. Stem cells either inherit the mother or daughter centriole-containing centrosome, providing a possible mechanism for biased delivery of cell fate determinants. However, the dynamics and mechanisms regulating centrosome asymmetry and biased centrosome segregation are unclear. Using 3D-Structured Illumination Microscopy (3D-SIM) and live cell imaging we show that in fly neural stem cells (neuroblasts) the mitotic kinase Polo and its centriolar protein substrate Centrobin (Cnb) dynamically relocalize from the mother to the daughter centriole during mitosis. This mechanism generates a centrosome, containing two molecularly distinct centrioles by telophase. Cnbs timely relocalization is regulated by Polo-mediated phosphorylation whereas Polos daughter centriole enrichment requires both Wdr62 and Cnb. Based on optogenetic protein mislocalization experiments we propose that the establishment of centriole asymmetry in mitosis primes biased interphase MTOC activity, necessary for correct spindle orientation.