AURKA
AURKA (aurora kinase A, also known as BTAK, AurA, STK6, STK15, ARK1, AIK and PPP1R47) is a cell cycle-regulated serine/threonine kinase that associates with the centrosome and spindle microtubules. It contributes to the regulation of mitotic progression and chromosome segregation. Browse Assay Genie's current range of AURKA research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
AURKA is a mitotic serine/threonine kinase that contributes to the regulation of cell cycle progression. It associates with the centrosome and the spindle microtubules during mitosis and plays a critical role in several mitotic events, including establishment of the mitotic spindle, centrosome duplication, separation and maturation, chromosomal alignment, the spindle assembly checkpoint and cytokinesis. It is required for normal spindle positioning, for localisation of NUMA1 and DCTN1 to the cell cortex during metaphase, and for the initial activation of CDK1 at centrosomes.
The kinase phosphorylates numerous substrates, including ARHGEF2, BORA, BRCA1, CDC25B, HDAC6, KIF2A, LATS2, NDEL1, PARD3, PLK1, RASSF1, TACC3, TPX2 and p53/TP53. Phosphorylation of KIF2A regulates its tubulin depolymerase activity, and phosphorylation of MCRS1 supports kinetochore fibre assembly. AURKA also phosphorylates and inhibits its own regulators, the protein phosphatase type 1 isoforms. Beyond mitosis, it is important for microtubule formation and stabilisation, is required for normal axon formation, and contributes to microtubule remodelling during neurite extension. It inhibits cilia outgrowth and drives cilia disassembly through phosphorylation of HDAC6 and deacetylation of alpha-tubulin.
AURKA is a key regulatory component of the p53/TP53 pathway and of checkpoint-response pathways relevant to oncogenic transformation, phosphorylating and destabilising p53. It also lowers BIRC5 levels by suppressing FBXL7 expression via phosphorylation of FOXP1. The encoded protein is found at the centrosome in interphase cells and at spindle poles in mitosis, and the gene may play a role in tumour development and progression. It belongs to the Aurora subfamily of the Ser/Thr protein kinase family, and earlier names include serine/threonine kinase 6 and serine/threonine kinase 15. Multiple transcript variants encode the same protein.
AURKA drives spindle establishment, centrosome maturation, chromosomal alignment and cytokinesis, making it central to studies of mitotic progression.
The gene may play a role in tumour development, and AURKA destabilises p53 within checkpoint pathways linked to oncogenic transformation.
AURKA acts at centrosomes and basal bodies, inhibiting cilia outgrowth and promoting cilia disassembly through HDAC6 phosphorylation.
AURKA is required for normal axon formation and contributes to microtubule remodelling during neurite extension.
AURKA is a mitotic serine/threonine kinase that localises to centrosomes and spindle poles. It supports spindle assembly, centrosome duplication and maturation, chromosomal alignment, the spindle assembly checkpoint and cytokinesis, and it phosphorylates many substrates, including p53, PLK1, TPX2 and HDAC6.
AURKA is also called BTAK, AurA, STK7, ARK1, PPP1R47, AIK, STK15 and STK6. Previous names include serine/threonine kinase 15 and serine/threonine kinase 6. The HGNC name is aurora kinase A, and UniProt lists it as Aurora kinase A (EC 2.7.11.1).
Mouse and rat both have an Aurka ortholog. NCBI Gene notes that AURKA may play a role in tumour development and progression, and UniProt describes it as a regulator of p53 checkpoint pathways relevant to oncogenic transformation. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other mitotic kinases, centrosome and spindle proteins, and p53-pathway targets related to AURKA.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt O14965; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.