Centrinone is a selective inhibitor of the centrosomal protein kinase PLK4, which plays a critical role in centriole duplication. By inhibiting PLK4, centrinone disrupts centriole formation, leading to defects in centrosome function and mitotic progression. This makes it a valuable tool in cell biology research, particularly in studies related to centrosome biology, cell division, and genomic stability. It is widely used to investigate the consequences of centrosome loss in various cell types, helping researchers understand how cells adapt to mitotic errors and the role of centrosomes in organizing microtubule networks. Centrinone has also been employed in studies exploring the link between centrosome dysfunction and diseases such as cancer, microcephaly, and ciliopathies. Due to its ability to induce reversible centrosome loss without immediate cell death, centrinone allows for controlled, acute inhibition of PLK4, making it superior to genetic knockout methods in certain experimental settings. It is commonly used in in vitro models and has contributed to insights in developmental biology and potential therapeutic strategies targeting centrosome amplification in tumors.