Aurora Kinase A (AURKA) is a serine/threonine kinase that plays a crucial role in cell division by regulating various processes during mitosis. It is a member of the Aurora kinase family, which also includes Aurora Kinase B and C. The recombinant form of Aurora Kinase A is often used in research to study its function and potential as a therapeutic target.
Aurora Kinase A is encoded by the AURKA gene located on chromosome 20q13.2. The protein is approximately 403 amino acids long and has a molecular weight of around 46 kDa. It is predominantly expressed in tissues with high mitotic activity, such as the testes and thymus, and its expression is tightly regulated during the cell cycle .
Aurora Kinase A is essential for several key processes during mitosis:
Aurora Kinase A exerts its effects by phosphorylating various substrates involved in mitosis. One of its well-known substrates is the microtubule-associated protein TPX2, which is essential for spindle assembly. The kinase activity of Aurora Kinase A is regulated by autophosphorylation and interaction with other proteins, such as Bora and Ajuba .
Aurora Kinase A has been implicated in cancer development and progression. Overexpression of AURKA is often observed in various cancers, including breast, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers. This overexpression is associated with poor prognosis and increased tumor aggressiveness. As a result, Aurora Kinase A is considered a potential therapeutic target, and several inhibitors are currently being developed and tested in clinical trials.
Recombinant Aurora Kinase A is produced using various expression systems, such as baculovirus-insect cells or E. coli. The recombinant protein is used in biochemical assays to study its kinase activity, substrate specificity, and inhibition by potential therapeutic compounds. It is also used in structural studies to understand the molecular basis of its function and regulation.