AURKA

GeneName

AURKA

Summary

AURKA, also known as Aurora A or STK15, is a 46kDa serine/threonine kinase that plays a pivotal role in cell cycle regulation, particularly during mitosis. It is primarily localised to the centrosome, mitotic spindle, and other microtubule-associated structures, where it is involved in processes such as mitotic spindle organisation, centrosome maturation, and chromosome alignment. AURKA is essential for proper cell division and has been implicated in various cellular processes, including apoptosis, neuron projection extension, and liver regeneration. Its activity is regulated through phosphorylation and it interacts with several proteins, including those involved in the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway.

Importance

AURKA is relevant to: - Cancer research due to its overexpression in various tumours, contributing to genomic instability and uncontrolled cell proliferation - Understanding the mechanisms of mitosis and the potential development of targeted therapies that inhibit its activity - Investigating its role in neurodevelopment and neurodegenerative diseases as it is involved in neuron projection extension - Exploring its function in centrosome regulation, which is crucial for maintaining cellular integrity and function

Top Products

For researchers investigating AURKA, we recommend two primary antibodies that stand out for their performance and reliability. The first is the well-cited monoclonal antibody, Anti-Aurora A antibody [35C1] (ab13824), which has garnered 84 citations, reflecting its strong reputation in the field. This antibody is particularly effective for Western blotting (WB), immunocytochemistry (ICC), and flow cytometry (FC). In addition, we offer the recombinant antibody, Anti-Aurora A antibody [EP1008Y] (ab52973), which is validated for use in Western blotting (WB), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunoprecipitation (IP). With 29 citations, this product is also gaining traction among researchers. The recombinant nature of this antibody ensures batch-to-batch consistency, making it an excellent choice for those requiring dependable results in their AURKA studies.

Abcam Product Citation Summary

The data indicates that AURKA is being studied in various contexts related to cell proliferation, division, migration, and its acetylation. The use of Abcam's antibody ab13824 in Western blotting and immunocytochemistry suggests a focus on understanding the role of AURKA in human cell biology, particularly in HeLa and MCF7 cell lines.

Abcam Product Citation Table

Function

Mitotic serine/threonine kinase that contributes to the regulation of cell cycle progression (PubMed:11039908, PubMed:12390251, PubMed:17125279, PubMed:17360485, PubMed:18615013, PubMed:26246606). Associates with the centrosome and the spindle microtubules during mitosis and plays a critical role in various mitotic events including the establishment of mitotic spindle, centrosome duplication, centrosome separation as well as maturation, chromosomal alignment, spindle assembly checkpoint, and cytokinesis (PubMed:14523000, PubMed:26246606). Required for normal spindle positioning during mitosis and for the localization of NUMA1 and DCTN1 to the cell cortex during metaphase (PubMed:27335426). Required for initial activation of CDK1 at centrosomes (PubMed:13678582, PubMed:15128871). Phosphorylates numerous target proteins, including ARHGEF2, BORA, BRCA1, CDC25B, DLGP5, HDAC6, KIF2A, LATS2, NDEL1, PARD3, PPP1R2, PLK1, RASSF1, TACC3, p53/TP53 and TPX2 (PubMed:11551964, PubMed:14702041, PubMed:15128871, PubMed:15147269, PubMed:15987997, PubMed:17604723, PubMed:18056443, PubMed:18615013). Regulates KIF2A tubulin depolymerase activity (PubMed:19351716). Important for microtubule formation and/or stabilization (PubMed:18056443). Required for normal axon formation (PubMed:19812038). Plays a role in microtubule remodeling during neurite extension (PubMed:19668197). Also acts as a key regulatory component of the p53/TP53 pathway, and particularly the checkpoint-response pathways critical for oncogenic transformation of cells, by phosphorylating and destabilizing p53/TP53 (PubMed:14702041). Phosphorylates its own inhibitors, the protein phosphatase type 1 (PP1) isoforms, to inhibit their activity (PubMed:11551964). Inhibits cilia outgrowth (By similarity). Required for cilia disassembly via phosphorylation of HDAC6 and subsequent deacetylation of alpha-tubulin (PubMed:17604723, PubMed:20643351). Regulates protein levels of the anti-apoptosis protein BIRC5 by suppressing the expression of the SCF(FBXL7) E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase substrate adapter FBXL7 through the phosphorylation of the transcription factor FOXP1 (PubMed:28218735).

Post-translational modifications

Activated by phosphorylation at Thr-288; this brings about a change in the conformation of the activation segment. Phosphorylation at Thr-288 varies during the cell cycle and is highest during M phase. Autophosphorylated at Thr-288 upon TPX2 binding. Thr-288 can be phosphorylated by several kinases, including PAK and PKA. Protein phosphatase type 1 (PP1) binds AURKA and inhibits its activity by dephosphorylating Thr-288 during mitosis. Phosphorylation at Ser-342 decreases the kinase activity. PPP2CA controls degradation by dephosphorylating Ser-51 at the end of mitosis.

Ubiquitinated by the E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase complex SCF(FBXL7) during mitosis, leading to its degradation by the proteasome (By similarity). Ubiquitinated by CHFR, leading to its degradation by the proteasome (By similarity). Ubiquitinated by the anaphase-promoting complex (APC), leading to its degradation by the proteasome (PubMed:10851084, PubMed:11039908). Ubiquitinated by the CUL3-KLHL18 ligase leading to its activation at the centrosome which is required for initiating mitotic entry (PubMed:23213400). Ubiquitination mediated by CUL3-KLHL18 ligase does not lead to its degradation by the proteasome (PubMed:23213400).

Sequence Similarities

Belongs to the protein kinase superfamily. Ser/Thr protein kinase family. Aurora subfamily.

Tissue Specificity

Highly expressed in testis and weakly in skeletal muscle, thymus and spleen. Also highly expressed in colon, ovarian, prostate, neuroblastoma, breast and cervical cancer cell lines.

Cellular localization

• Cytoplasm
• Cytoskeleton
• Microtubule organizing center
• Centrosome
• Cytoplasm
• Cytoskeleton
• Spindle pole
• Cytoplasm
• Cytoskeleton
• Microtubule organizing center
• Centrosome
• Centriole
• Cell projection
• Neuron projection
• Cell projection
• Cilium
• Cytoplasm
• Cytoskeleton
• Cilium basal body
• Basolateral cell membrane
• Detected at the neurite hillock in developing neurons (By similarity). Localizes at the centrosome in mitotic cells from early prophase until telophase, but also localizes to the spindle pole MTs from prophase to anaphase (PubMed:17229885, PubMed:21225229, PubMed:9606188). Colocalized with SIRT2 at centrosome (PubMed:22014574). Moves to the midbody during both telophase and cytokinesis (PubMed:17726514). Associates with both the pericentriolar material (PCM) and centrioles (PubMed:22014574). The localization to the spindle poles is regulated by AAAS (PubMed:26246606).

Alternative names

AIK, AIRK1, ARK1, AURA, AYK1, BTAK, IAK1, STK15, STK6, AURKA, Aurora kinase A, Aurora 2, Aurora/IPL1-related kinase 1, Breast tumor-amplified kinase, Ipl1- and aurora-related kinase 1, Serine/threonine-protein kinase 15, Serine/threonine-protein kinase 6, Serine/threonine-protein kinase Ayk1, Serine/threonine-protein kinase aurora-A, ARK-1, Aurora-related kinase 1

Database links

swissprot:O14965 omim:603072 omim:604970 omim:603495 swissprot:Q96GD4 swissprot:Q9UQB9 entrezGene:9212 entrezGene:6790 entrezGene:6795

Other research areas

• Oncology