centrosome amplification

Centrosome amplification has been linked to de-differentiation and recently been shown to induce invasion in cancer (Ghadimi et al, 2000; Lingle et al, 2002; Godinho et al, 2014).

The centrosomes form the main microtubule organizing center in mammalian cells and facilitate chromosomal separation during mitosis via the meiotic spindle apparatus but also participate in the organization of flagella and cilia.

EMT is thought not to play a role in the invasion of tumors with centrosome amplification since expression of E-cadherin is retained.

Cell–cell adhesion appears instead reduced downstream of Rac1 signaling by increased Arp2/3-dependent actin polymerization (Godinho et al, 2014).