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Updated: Mar 18, 2026

Real-Time Monitoring of Aurora kinase A Activation using Conformational FRET Biosensors in Live Cells
Published on: July 30, 2020
Essential role of autoactivation circuitry on Aurora B-mediated H2AX-pS121 in mitosis
Midori Shimada1, Takahiro Goshima1, Hiromi Matsuo1
1Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan.
Abstract:
Proper deposition and activation of Aurora B at the centromere is critical for faithful chromosome segregation in mammals. However, the mechanistic basis for abrupt Aurora B kinase activation at the centromere has not yet been fully understood. We demonstrate here that Aurora B-mediated phosphorylation of histone H2AX at serine 121 (H2AX-pS121) promotes Aurora B autophosphorylation and is essential for proper chromosome segregation. Aurora B-mediated H2AX-pS121 is specifically detected at the centromere during mitosis. H2AX depletion results in a severe defect in activation and deposition of Aurora B at this locus. A phosphomimic mutant of H2AX at S121 interacts with activated Aurora B more efficiently than wild-type in vitro. Taken together, these results propose a model in which Aurora B-mediated H2AX-pS121 probably provide a platform for Aurora B autoactivation circuitry at centromeres and thus play a pivotal role in proper chromosome segregation.
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