Asymmetric cell divisions (ACDs) play a crucial role in controlling cell fate and generating cell diversity during development. The centrosome is known to be involved in ACD, and recent studies have shown that centrosomes exhibit dynamic and asymmetric movements that regulate orientation of the mitotic spindle. Here, Yohanns Bellaiche and co-workers identify a novel type of centrosome movement during cytokinesis (). The authors demonstrate that centrosome movements in Drosophila sensory organ precursors are regulated by the cell fate determinant Numb; the asymmetric localisation of Numb regulates asymmetric centrosome movements. Moreover, they report, Numb acts via the microtubule-binding protein CRMP rather than via its classical effectors. Finally, the researchers show that CRMP in turn participates in the regulation of endosome dynamics and thus likely the recycling of the Notch receptor Delta. They thereby establish a functional link between centrosome dynamics, Notch signalling and cell fate. These findings suggest a model in which asymmetric centrosome movements participate in differential Notch activation to regulate cell fate.
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