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Published on: June 29, 2013
Aurora kinase mRNA expression is reduced with increasing gestational age and in severe early onset fetal growth
Sally Beard1, Natasha Pritchard2, Natalie Binder1
1Therapeutics Discovery and Vascular Function in Pregnancy Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Translational Obstetrics Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Mercy Perinatal, Mercy Hospital for Women, Victoria, Australia.
Insights
Aurora kinase (AURK) expression in the placenta decreases with advancing gestation. AURKC levels are lower in fetal growth restriction (FGR) pregnancies, suggesting a role in placental dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Cellular senescence
- Maternal-fetal medicine
Background:
- Oxidative damage and aging contribute to placental dysfunction, fetal growth restriction (FGR), and preeclampsia (PE).
- Cellular senescence is a potential factor in FGR and PE pathophysiology.
- Aurora kinases (AURKA, B, C) regulate cell division and are linked to cellular senescence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate alterations in aurora kinase (AURKA, B, C) expression in placental dysfunction and aging.
- To determine if placental AURK expression changes with gestational age or conditions like FGR and PE.
Main Methods:
- Placental and maternal blood samples collected from pregnancies with PE, FGR, or both, and controls.
- Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) used to measure AURKA, B, and C mRNA expression in placental tissue and maternal circulation.
Main Results:
- Placental AURK expression decreased with advancing gestation; AURKA and AURKB reduced at 37-40 weeks, AURKC at 34-37 weeks.
- Maternal circulating AURKB mRNA levels decreased at >40 weeks gestation.
- AURKC mRNA was significantly reduced in placentas from early-onset (<34 weeks) FGR pregnancies compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Placental aurora kinase expression diminishes with increased gestational age.
- Reduced AURKC in FGR placentas suggests a role in this specific placental dysfunction.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the functional significance of aurora kinases in placental aging and disease.
Introduction:
Oxidative damage and biochemical ageing are implicated in placental dysfunction and potentially fetal death. Cellular senescence may play a role in the pathophysiology of fetal growth restriction (FGR) and preeclampsia (PE). Aurora kinases (AURKA, B and C) are important regulators of cellular division in mitosis and meiosis with implications in cellular senescence. We aimed to investigate whether aurora kinase expression is altered with placental dysfunction or placental ageing.
Methods:
Placenta and blood was obtained across gestation from pregnancies complicated by PE, FGR or both PE and FGR, as well as gestation-matched control samples. Expression of AURKA, B and C mRNA was examined using real time qPCR in both the placenta and maternal circulation.
Results:
Placental aurora kinase expression decreased as gestation progressed: AURKA and AURKB were significantly reduced at 37-40 weeks, whereas AURKC was significantly reduced at 34-37 weeks, when compared to <34 weeks. In the maternal circulation, the mRNA level of AURKB was significantly reduced at >40 weeks compared to <34 weeks gestation. A significant reduction in AURKC was seen in FGR pregnancies <34 weeks compared to gestation-matched controls.
Conclusion:
Placental AURK expression is reduced with increased gestation. Circulating AURKB mRNA reduces at >40 weeks gestation, when compared to <34 weeks. AURKC is significantly reduced in placentas from pregnancies complicated by severe early onset (<34 weeks) FGR compared with gestation-matched controls. The functional role of aurora kinase in the placenta and in gestational age warrants further investigation.
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