The insect centriole: a land of discovery

Centrioles are involved in the formation of cilia and flagella and in the organization of the centrosome, the main microtubule-organizing center of the cell. Since structural and functional centriole aberrations can contribute to several human diseases, these organelles have recently focused the attention of cell biologists. Here, we review data on the insect centrioles, reporting non-canonical aspects of their behaviour, function and architecture. These findings that represent obvious exceptions to the established rule might contribute to advance our understanding in the formation and the function of centrioles. © 2010 Elsevier Ltd.