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Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Real-Time Monitoring of Aurora kinase A Activation using Conformational FRET Biosensors in Live Cells
06:29

Real-Time Monitoring of Aurora kinase A Activation using Conformational FRET Biosensors in Live Cells

Published on: July 30, 2020

Mitotic kinase Aurora-A phosphorylates RASSF1A and modulates RASSF1A-mediated microtubule interaction and M-phase

R Rong1, L Y Jiang, M S Sheikh

  • 1Department of Pharmacology, State University of New York, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA.

Oncogene
|June 15, 2007
PubMed

Insights

This study identifies Aurora-A as the first kinase to phosphorylate the RASSF1A tumor suppressor. Aurora-A phosphorylation disrupts RASSF1A

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Oncology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • RAS-association domain family 1, isoform A (RASSF1A) is a tumor suppressor involved in microtubule stabilization and M-phase cell cycle arrest.
  • Mitotic phosphorylation regulates microtubule-associated proteins, but RASSF1A phosphorylation during mitosis remains largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the kinase responsible for RASSF1A phosphorylation during mitosis.
  • To investigate the functional consequences of RASSF1A phosphorylation on its interaction with microtubules and cell cycle regulation.

Main Methods:

  • Identification of Aurora-A as a RASSF1A kinase through interaction and phosphorylation assays.
  • Site-directed mutagenesis to mimic constitutive phosphorylation at Threonine202/Serine203.
  • Assessment of RASSF1A-microtubule interactions and cell cycle arrest.
  • Evaluation of Aurora-A overexpression effects on RASSF1A-mediated growth suppression.

Main Results:

  • Aurora-A directly interacts with and phosphorylates RASSF1A at Threonine202 and/or Serine203.
  • Phosphorylation-mimicking mutations disrupt RASSF1A-microtubule binding and abolish M-phase cell cycle arrest.
  • Aurora-A overexpression interferes with RASSF1A's tumor-suppressive functions.

Conclusions:

  • Aurora-A is a novel kinase for RASSF1A, linking an oncogenic mitotic kinase to this tumor suppressor.
  • Aurora-A-mediated phosphorylation regulates RASSF1A's microtubule interactions and M-phase cell cycle control.
  • This phosphorylation mechanism offers a new target for cancer therapy.

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