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Real-Time Monitoring of Aurora kinase A Activation using Conformational FRET Biosensors in Live Cells
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Published on: July 30, 2020

Biology of Aurora A kinase: implications in cancer manifestation and therapy

Dhanasekaran Karthigeyan1, Sallekoppal B Benaka Prasad, Jayasha Shandilya

  • 1Transcription and Disease Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Jakkur, Bangalore, India.

Medicinal Research Reviews
|March 3, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Aurora A kinase regulates mitosis and cell cycle progression. Its overexpression drives tumorigenesis, making Aurora A a promising target for novel cancer therapies and small-molecule inhibitors.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Aurora A kinase is a serine/threonine kinase crucial for cell cycle regulation, particularly mitosis.
  • Overexpression and gene amplification of Aurora A are implicated in human tumorigenesis, suggesting its role as an oncogene.
  • Aurora A kinase interacts with numerous substrates, influencing cell cycle progression and transcription.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the physiological functions of Aurora A kinase.
  • To explore the interactions between Aurora A kinase and its substrates.
  • To discuss the role of Aurora A kinase in tumorigenesis and its potential as a cancer therapeutic target.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of studies on Aurora A kinase.
  • Analysis of research on Aurora A kinase substrates and phosphorylation.
  • Examination of evidence linking Aurora A kinase to cancer development.
  • Overview of small-molecule inhibitors targeting Aurora kinases.

Main Results:

  • Aurora A kinase plays critical roles in mitosis and cell cycle control.
  • Deregulation of Aurora A kinase activity contributes to cancer progression.
  • Numerous small-molecule inhibitors targeting Aurora kinases have been developed and entered clinical trials.
  • Inhibitors can be specific for Aurora A or Aurora B, or dual inhibitors targeting conserved ATP-binding sites.

Conclusions:

  • Aurora A kinase is a key regulator of mitosis and a significant factor in cancer development.
  • Targeting Aurora A kinase with small-molecule inhibitors represents a promising strategy for cancer therapy.
  • Further research into Aurora kinase inhibitors may lead to more effective cancer treatments.
Keywords:
centrosome dynamicscheckpointkinase inhibitorsphosphorylationtumorigenesis

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