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Aurora-A Promotes Cell-Cycle Progression From Quiescence Through Primary Cilia Disassembly
Atsushi Kohso1,2, Hironori Inaba1, Masato T Kanemaki3,4,5
1Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Tsu, Mie, Japan.
Cancer Science
|July 22, 2025
Summary
Aurora-A (AurA) kinase regulates cell cycle progression by promoting primary cilia disassembly. AurA inhibition delays cell cycle entry and impairs cilia disassembly, impacting cell proliferation and survival.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Aurora-A (AurA) is a mitotic kinase highly expressed in tumors, and its inhibition causes mitotic errors.
- Previous studies showed AurA inhibition induces G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in non-cancerous cells by promoting primary cilia reassembly.
- The role of AurA in cell cycle regulation beyond mitosis remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanisms by which Aurora-A regulates cell cycle progression from quiescence to proliferation.
- To elucidate the role of AurA in primary cilia dynamics during the G0/G1 transition.
Main Methods:
- Generated Aurora-A degron cell lines (RPE1, HCT116) using CRISPR/Cas9-based gene editing for rapid AurA depletion.
- Utilized cell synchronization and targeted AurA degradation to study its function in quiescent cells.
- Investigated the impact of AurA depletion and forced deciliation (IFT20 knockout) on cell cycle progression and apoptosis.
Main Results:
- Aurora-A depletion delayed cell cycle progression and impaired primary cilia disassembly at the G0/G1 transition in RPE1 cells.
- Forced deciliation rescued the cell cycle delay caused by AurA depletion.
- AurA depletion increased apoptosis in HCT116 cancer cells, an effect partially enhanced by forced deciliation in RPE1 cells.
Conclusions:
- Aurora-A facilitates primary cilia disassembly, which accelerates the transition from quiescence to proliferation.
- Primary cilia assembly may act as a protective mechanism against cell death upon AurA inhibition.
- These findings reveal a novel role for Aurora-A in regulating cell cycle entry and ciliogenesis.
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