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Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Real-Time Monitoring of Aurora kinase A Activation using Conformational FRET Biosensors in Live Cells
Published on: July 30, 2020
Discovery of a Potent, Injectable Inhibitor of Aurora Kinases Based on the Imidazo-[1,2-a]-Pyrazine Core
Tao Yu1, Jayaram R Tagat1, Angela D Kerekes1
1Departments of Chemical Research.
Abstract:
The imidazo-[1,2-a]-pyrazine (1) is a dual inhibitor of Aurora kinases A and B with modest cell potency (IC50 = 250 nM) and low solubility (5 μM). Lead optimization guided by the binding mode led to the acyclic amino alcohol 12k (SCH 1473759), which is a picomolar inhibitor of Aurora kinases (TdF K d Aur A = 0.02 nM and Aur B = 0.03 nM) with improved cell potency (phos-HH3 inhibition IC50 = 25 nM) and intrinsic aqueous solubility (11.4 mM). It also demonstrated efficacy and target engagement in human tumor xenograft mouse models.
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