The Aurora protein kinases are well-established regulators of spindle building and chromosome segregation in mitotic and meiotic cells. In mouse oocytes, there is significant Aurora kinase A (AURKA) compensatory abilities when the other Aurora kinase homologs are deleted. Whether the other homologs, AURKB or AURKC can compensate for loss of AURKA is not known. Using a conditional mouse oocyte knockout model, we demonstrate that this compensation is not reciprocal because female oocyte-specific knockout mice are sterile, and their oocytes fail to complete meiosis I. In determining AURKA-specific functions, we demonstrate that its first meiotic requirement is to activate Polo-like kinase 1 at acentriolar microtubule organizing centers (aMTOCs; meiotic spindle poles). This activation induces fragmentation of the aMTOCs, a step essential for building a bipolar spindle. We also show that AURKA is required for regulating localization of TACC3, another protein required for spindle building. We conclude that AURKA has multiple functions essential to completing MI that are distinct from AURKB and AURKC.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8102010 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1009327 | DOI Listing |
Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol
January 2025
Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Japan. (H. Yagi, H.A., Q.L., A.S.-K., M.U., H.K., R.M., A.S., S.O., H.T., Norifumi Takeda, I.K.).
Background: Marfan syndrome (MFS) is an inherited disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding fibrillin-1, a matrix component of extracellular microfibrils. The main cause of morbidity and mortality in MFS is thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection, but the underlying mechanisms remain undetermined.
Methods: To elucidate the role of endothelial XOR (xanthine oxidoreductase)-derived reactive oxygen species in aortic aneurysm progression, we inhibited in vivo function of XOR either by endothelial cell (EC)-specific disruption of the gene or by systemic administration of an XOR inhibitor febuxostat in MFS mice harboring the missense mutation p.
J Med Chem
January 2025
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12850 East Montview Boulevard, Aurora, Colorado 80045, United States.
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a central mediator of cellular metabolism and is activated in direct response to low ATP levels. Activated AMPK inhibits anabolic pathways and promotes catabolic activities that generate ATP through the phosphorylation of multiple target substrates. AMPK is a therapeutic target for activation in several chronic metabolic diseases, and there is increasing interest in targeting AMPK activity in cancer where it can act as a tumor suppressor or conversely it can support cancer cell survival.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWorld J Gastrointest Surg
January 2025
Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Hangzhou 310006, Zhejiang Province, China.
Background: Unraveling the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC) can aid in developing prevention and treatment strategies. Aurora kinase A (AURKA) is a key participant in mitotic control and interacts with its co-activator, the targeting protein for Xklp2 (TPX2) microtubule nucleation factor. AURKA is associated with poor clinical outcomes and high risks of CRC recurrence.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDiscov Oncol
January 2025
Department of Gastroenterology, Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710068, China.
Background: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the most common subtype of kidney cancer with a high metastatic rate and high mortality rate. The molecular mechanism of ccRCC development, however, needs further study. Aurora kinase B (AURKB) functions as an important oncogene in various tumors; therefore, in the present study, we aimed to explore the mechanism by which AURKB affects ccRCC development.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
January 2025
Department of Genetics, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.
Nowadays, chemotherapy and immunotherapy remain the major treatment strategies for Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). Identifying biomarkers to pre-select and subclassify TNBC patients with distinct chemotherapy responses is essential. In the current study, we performed an unbiased Reverse Phase Protein Array (RPPA) on TNBC cells treated with chemotherapy compounds and found a leading significant increase of phosphor-AURKA/B/C, AURKA, AURKB, and PLK1, which fall into the mitotic kinase group.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!