Centrosomal Protein 192kDa (CEP192)

Cep192 is an essential component of the maturation machinery. siRNA depletion of Cep192 results in a complete loss of functional centrosomes in mitotic but not interphase cells. In mitotic cells lacking Cep192, microtubules become organized around chromosomes but rarely acquire stable bipolar configurations. These cells contain normal numbers of centrioles but cannot assemble gamma-tubulin, pericentrin, or other pericentriolar proteins into an organized PCM. Alternatively, overexpression of Cep192 results in the formation of multiple, extracentriolar foci of gamma-tubulin and pericentrin. Cep192 stimulates the formation of the scaffolding upon which gamma-tubulin ring complexes and other proteins involved in microtubule nucleation and spindle assembly become functional during mitosis.