Embryonic Developmental Disruptions via Centriole Inhibition

The centriole, a key organelle for cell division and ciliogenesis, is indispensable for embryonic development. The advent of specific pharmacological inhibitors targeting distinct stages of centriole biogenesis—so-called “centriole blockers”—has provided powerful tools to dissect its spatiotemporal functions. This review synthesizes findings from experimental models (mouse, zebrafish, Xenopus, and human stem cell-derived organoids) exposed to three major inhibitor classes: specific PLK4 inhibitors (e.g., centrinone), centriole assembly disruptors (e.g., Bril), and multi-kinase inhibitors (e.g., CFI-400945). Our comparative meta-analysis reveals a fundamental dichotomy in developmental disruption mechanisms.…