Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 27, 2026

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

Published on: July 30, 2020

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Aurora-A Kinase as a Promising Therapeutic Target in Cancer

Antonino B D'Assoro1, Tufia Haddad2, Evanthia Galanis3

  • 1Department of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.

Frontiers in Oncology
|January 19, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Aurora-A kinase is crucial for cell division and cancer growth. Inhibiting its activity may offer new cancer treatment strategies by targeting both mitotic and non-mitotic functions.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Mammalian Aurora kinases regulate cell division and are often overexpressed in cancers.
  • Aurora-A kinase plays key roles in mitotic progression and chromosomal stability.
  • Aberrant Aurora-A activity contributes to tumor heterogeneity and oncogenic transformation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the mitotic and non-mitotic functions of Aurora-A in cancer.
  • To discuss the therapeutic potential of targeting Aurora-A in cancer treatment.
  • To evaluate clinical studies on small molecule inhibitors of Aurora-A.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of scientific publications.
  • Analysis of studies on Aurora-A kinase functions.
  • Evaluation of clinical trial data for Aurora-A inhibitors.

Main Results:

  • Aurora-A kinase is involved in both cell division and non-mitotic processes like epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
  • Its aberrant activity promotes tumor initiation, progression, and heterogeneity.
  • Small molecule inhibitors targeting Aurora-A show promise in cancer therapy.

Conclusions:

  • Aurora-A kinase is a significant therapeutic target for various human cancers.
  • Targeting both mitotic and non-mitotic roles of Aurora-A may enhance treatment efficacy.
  • Further clinical evaluation of Aurora-A inhibitors is warranted for improved cancer patient outcomes.
Keywords:
cancercell cyclemitotic kinasetargeted therapytumor progression

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