Dictyostelium centrin-related protein (DdCrp), the most divergent member of the centrin family, possesses only two EF hands and dissociates from the centrosome during mitosis.

We have identified a Dictyostelium discoideum cDNA sequence with homology to centrins. The derived protein, Dictyostelium discoideum centrinn-related protein (DdCrp), is the most divergent member of the centrin family. Most strikingly it lacks the first two EF-hand consensus motifs, whereas a number of other centrin-specific sequence features are conserved. Southern and Northern blot analysis and the data presently available from the Dictyostelium genome and cDNA projects suggest that DdCrp is the only centrin isoform present in Dictyostelium. Immunofluorescence analysis with anti-DdCrp antibodies revealed that the protein is localized to the centrosome, to a second, centrosome-associated structure close to the nucleus and to the nucleus itself. Confocal microscopy resolved that the centrosomal label is confined to the corona surrounding the centrosome core. Unlike for other centrins the localization of DdCrp is cell cycle-dependent. Both the centrosomal and the centrosome-associated label disappear during prometaphase, most likely in concert with the dissociation of the corona at this stage. The striking differences of DdCrp to all other centrins may be related to the distinct structure and duplication mode of the Dictyostelium centrosome.