Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Real-Time Monitoring of Aurora kinase A Activation using Conformational FRET Biosensors in Live Cells
Published on: July 30, 2020
The Aurora-A/TPX2 complex: a novel oncogenic holoenzyme?
Italia Anna Asteriti1, Wilhelmina Maria Rensen, Catherine Lindon
1Institute of Molecular Biology and Pathology, CNR, c/o Sapienza University of Rome, Via degli Apuli 4, 00185 Rome, Italy.
Aurora-A kinase, a target in cancer therapy, may require interaction with TPX2 to drive tumor cell transformation. Co-overexpression of Aurora-A and TPX2 suggests a novel oncogenic unit contributing to tumorigenesis.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Oncology
Background:
- Aurora-A kinase is crucial for cell division and frequently overexpressed in tumors, making it a potential anti-cancer target.
- The precise role of Aurora-A in cell transformation is unclear, with variable oncogenic potential depending on experimental context.
- Interaction with TPX2 is essential for Aurora-A's activation and localization during mitosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To reappraise the intrinsic oncogenic features of Aurora-A.
- To investigate the co-overexpression of Aurora-A and TPX2 in tumors.
- To propose a novel oncogenic functional unit formed by Aurora-A and TPX2.
Main Methods:
- Literature screening of Aurora-A and TPX2 expression data in various tumor types.
- Review of molecular and structural studies on Aurora-A/TPX2 interaction.
- Reappraisal of existing data on Aurora-A's oncogenic potential.
Main Results:
- TPX2 is overexpressed in numerous tumor types.
- Aurora-A and TPX2 are frequently co-overexpressed in tumors.
- The co-occurrence suggests a synergistic oncogenic role.
Conclusions:
- The association of Aurora-A and TPX2 forms a novel functional unit with oncogenic properties.
- Tumorigenesis attributed to Aurora-A may result from the oncogenic activation of the Aurora-A/TPX2 unit.
- Targeting this unit could offer new anti-cancer therapeutic strategies.
More Related Videos
09:49Oncogenic Gene Fusion Detection Using Anchored Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction Followed by Next Generation Sequencing
Published on: July 5, 2019
09:58Mapping the Structure-Function Relationships of Disordered Oncogenic Transcription Factors Using Transcriptomic Analysis
Published on: June 27, 2020
Related Concept Videos
Anaphase Promoting Complex
Anaphase Promoting Complex
Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
Receptor Tyrosine Kinases
Cancer-Critical Genes II: Tumor Suppressor Genes
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...