# Molecular mechanisms of centriolar triplet microtubule formation

> **NIH NIH K99** · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $94,970

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
 Centrioles are conserved cellular organelles that template cilia for mediating cell signaling and motility,
and recruit pericentriolar material to nucleate microtubules as part of the centrosome. Centrioles are extremely
stable structures that persist over multiple cell cycles, and centriole number is controlled to ensure that each
daughter cell inherits exactly two centrioles from its mother. Defects in centrosome and cilium function have
been linked to a wide range of diseases, including cancer, microcephaly, and a set of syndromes known as
ciliopathies.
 Within a centrosome, the older centriole in the pair templates the cilium, and together they form the
centriole-cilium complex. Key features of this complex are the compound microtubules, which are a unique
arrangement of microtubules linked together: three linked microtubules form the centriolar triplets, and two
form the ciliary doublets. These compound microtubules occur only in the centriole-cilium complex, and are
required for the structural integrity of the centriole and for protein trafficking in the cilium. Though the
morphology of compound microtubules has long been appreciated, little is known about the mechanisms by
which these microtubules form specifically at the centriole-cilium complex. In my postdoctoral work, I found that
two members of the tubulin superfamily, delta-tubulin and epsilon-tubulin, are required for the centriolar triplet
microtubules. The means by which these proteins act are unknown.
 Here, I propose to determine the mechanisms of compound microtubule formation through an
integrated set of aims. Spanning both the mentored and independent phases, these aims will allow me to test
the relative contributions of microtubule protofilaments themselves, as well as other proteins including delta-
tubulin and epsilon-tubulin, to compound microtubule formation and stability. With the help of an outstanding
collaborator and mentor team, I will train in research techniques, as well as skills for my career development.
Together, this will create a strong foundation for an independent research career in understanding the roles of
microtubule structures in human development and health.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9853833
- **Project number:** 5K99GM131024-02
- **Recipient organization:** STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Jennifer Tong Wang
- **Activity code:** K99 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $94,970
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-02-01 → 2022-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9853833

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9853833, Molecular mechanisms of centriolar triplet microtubule formation (5K99GM131024-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9853833. Licensed CC0.

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