Vimentin filaments and centrosomes. Are they associated?

HeLa cells were examined by immunofluorescence using anti-vimentin and anti-centrosphere anti-bodies, and by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), after vimentin redistribution induced by the action of nocodazole or taxol. A redistribution of vimentin bundles in the centriolar area was observed after nocodazole treatment, although no direct interaction between centrioles and vimentin filaments could be detected. After taxol treatment, the juxtanuclear accumulation of vimentin filaments and the centrioles were rarely observed in the same area. Our results do not support the concept of a direct association between centrioles and vimentin filaments.