Differential subcellular localization of ASPM RNA and protein.

RNAs encoding some centrosomal components are trafficked to the organelle during mitosis. Some RNAs, including ASPM , localize to the centrosome co-translationally. However, the relative position of these RNAs and their protein after trafficking to centrosomes remained unclear. We find that mislocalization of ASPM RNA from the centrosome does not affect the localization of ASPM protein. Further, ASPM RNA and ASPM protein reside in two physically close yet distinct subcellular spaces, with ASPM RNA on the astral side of the centrosome and ASPM protein on the spindle side. This suggests subtly distinct locations of ASPM RNA translation and ASPM protein function.