Activation and overexpression of centrosome kinase BTAK/Aurora-A in human ovarian cancer.

Previous studies have demonstrated amplification of the centrosome serine/threonine kinase BTAK/Aurora-A in 10-25% of ovarian cancers. However, alterations of BTAK/Aurora-A at kinase and protein levels and its role in ovarian cancer progression have not been well documented. In this study, we examined the kinase activity and protein levels of BTAK/Aurora-A in 92 patients with primary ovarian tumors.