The Centrosomal Ledger—a Unified Model of Structural Memory in Cellular Aging and Fate Determination

The centrosome, long recognized as the primary microtubule-organizing center (MTOC) of animal cells, is re-examined through the lens of information theory and systems biology. This preprint proposes a unifying hypothesis: the mother centriole within the centrosome acts as a non-genetic cellular ledger, a stable structural repository that accumulates molecular records of a cell’s replicative history and environmental exposures. These records—comprising specific post-translational modification (PTM) signatures, retained proteins, and structural alterations—are subsequently “read” by the cell to inform critical decisions regarding proliferation, differentiation, senescence, and apoptosis. We synthesize evidence from cell biology, gerontology, and evolutionary biology to construct the “Centrosomal Ledger Model.” This model positions the centriole not as a passive cytoskeletal component but as an active, heritable information-processing node that integrates temporal data across scales—from circadian rhythms to organismal aging. We detail the molecular mechanisms of information encoding (e.g., tubulin polyglutamylation, oxidative marks) and decoding (via ciliary signaling, proteostatic feedback, and mechanical transduction). The model’s implications challenge genetic determinism by highlighting structural inheritance, provides a material basis for cellular age, and offers novel, falsifiable avenues for experimental interrogation in aging and cancer research. Crucially, it suggests that modulating the “read-write” cycle of the centrosomal ledger could represent a new frontier in regenerative medicine.