Partial purification of centrioles from spleen cells

Isolation of a fraction enriched with centrioles from bovine spleen cells is described. The method involves preparation of a nuclear-centriolar complex and detachment of centrioles from the complex by mechanical treatment in a homogenizer. Purification of centrioles was achieved by centrifugation through a sucrose concentration gradient after treatment by ultrasound, DNase I and Triton X-100. The resulting centrioles retain their in situ ultrastructure.