Biology subjects

Odabasi, E.

Publications and source records attributed to Odabasi, E..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

SatelliteQ: an open-source workflow for multidimensional, object-based quantification of centriolar satellites

Centriolar satellites are membrane-less organelles that store, modify and traffic proteins, in particular those of the centrosome and the primary cilium, and their deregulation is linked to ciliopathies, neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Satellite number, size, intensity and spatial distribution vary with cell type and cell state, yet satellites are usually quantified by a single readout, the pericentrosomal fluorescence intensity in maximum-projected images, which cannot distinguish changes in satellite number, size and position. Here we present SatelliteQ, an open-source Fiji and Python workflow for object-based quantification of satellites in 2D, 3D and time-lapse images. SatelliteQ segments satellites, detects centrosomes or primary cilia in the same cells, and reports satellite number, size, intensity, distance to the centrosome, shape and spatial distribution per satellite and per cell, with interactive graph and spatial viewers. Its measurements correlate closely with Imaris-based quantification; absolute values depend on segmentation settings and analysis mode, whereas the biological differences tested here were preserved across matched settings. Using SatelliteQ, we resolved distinct spatial signatures of satellite dispersal induced by microtubule depolymerization and by disruption of weak hydrophobic interactions, quantified differences between cell types and the scaling of satellite number with cell size, captured PCM1 granule dynamics in living cells, and compared satellite organization between ciliated and unciliated cells. Depletion of the ciliopathy-associated satellite protein CEP290 altered satellite abundance and pericentrosomal organization, while patient-derived cells carrying CEP290 mutations displayed divergent satellite phenotypes that were not explained by ciliation alone. SatelliteQ thus establishes satellite properties as a multidimensional cellular phenotype and provides an accessible framework for exploring satellites as an organelle-level readout in disease.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2025

Centriolar satellites are dynamic membrane-less organelles that assemble via a hierarchical pathway

Centriolar satellites (CS) are ubiquitous, membrane-less organelles recognized for organelle crosstalk, plasticity, diverse functions and links to developmental and neuronal diseases. However, the molecular principles governing their assembly and regulation remain poorly understood. To address this, we developed cellular and in vitro biogenesis assays that allow spatiotemporal quantification of CS granule properties during assembly, remodeling and maintenance. Using these tools, we show that CS assemble via a hierarchical pathway initiated by PCM1 scaffold formation followed by regulated client recruitment. PCM1 intrinsically assembles into granules through multimerization, a process modulated by cytoskeleton. High-resolution imaging revealed that PCM1 and its clients occupy distinct subdomains with different compositions and dynamics, adding an additional layer of regulation. Perturbing PCM1 multimerization impaired ciliary signaling, underscoring its functional importance. Collectively, these findings define the molecular basis of CS biogenesis, establish new tools to probe their context-dependent functions, and provide a framework for understanding how CS deregulation contributes to disease. More broadly, the principles uncovered here may extend to other membrane-less organelles, explaining their specificity and plasticity.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2022

CCDC66 regulates primary cilium length and signaling competence via multi-site interactions with transition zone and axonemal proteins

The primary cilium is a conserved microtubule-based organelle that serves as a hub for many signaling pathways. It functions as part of the centrosome/cilium complex, which also contains the basal body and the centriolar satellites. Little is known about the mechanisms by which the microtubule-based axoneme of the cilium is assembled with proper length and structure, particularly in terms of the activity of microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) and the crosstalk between the different compartments of the centrosome/cilium complex. Here, we analyzed CCDC66, a MAP implicated in cilium biogenesis and ciliopathies affecting eye and brain. Live-cell imaging revealed that CCDC66 compartmentalizes between centrosomes, centriolar satellites, and the ciliary axoneme and tip during cilium assembly and disassembly. CCDC66 loss-of-function in human cells causes defects in cilium assembly, length and morphology. Notably, CCDC66 interacts with the MAPs and ciliopathy proteins CEP104 and CSPP1 and cooperates with them during axonemal length regulation. Moreover, CCDC66 interacts with the transition zone protein CEP290 selectively at the centriolar satellites. Its loss disrupts basal body recruitment of transition zone proteins and IFT-B machinery and causes defective Hedgehog signaling. Overall, our results establish CCDC66 as a multifaceted regulator of the primary cilium, and propose a mechanistic insight into how the cooperation of ciliary MAPs as well as subcompartments ensures assembly of a functional cilium.

cell biology↗

bioRxiv2018

Differential requirement for centriolar satellites in cilium formation among different vertebrate cells

Centriolar satellites are ubiquitous in vertebrate cells. They have recently emerged as key regulators of centrosome/cilium biogenesis, and their mutations are linked to ciliopathies. However, their precise functions and mechanisms of action, which potentially differ between cell types, remain poorly understood. Here, we generated retinal pigmental and kidney epithelial cells lacking satellites by genetically ablating PCM1 to investigate their functions. While satellites were essential for cilium assembly in retinal epithelial cells, kidney epithelial cells lacking satellites still formed full-length cilia but at significantly lower levels, with reduced centrosomal levels of key ciliogenesis factors. Using these cells, we identified the first satellite-specific functions at cilia, specifically in regulating ciliary content, Hedgehog signalling, and epithelial cell organization. However, other satellite-linked functions, namely proliferation, cell cycle progression and centriole duplication, were unaffected in these cells. Quantitative transcriptomic and proteomic profiling revealed that loss of satellites scarcely affects transcription, but significantly alters the proteome, particularly actin cytoskeleton pathways and neuronal functions. Together, our findings identify cell type-specific roles for satellites and provide insight into the phenotypic heterogeneity of ciliopathies.

cell biology↗