Aurora B

Aurora B (AURKB) is a mitotic serine/threonine kinase and the enzymatic core of the chromosomal passenger complex (CPC), which includes INCENP, Survivin, and Borealin[1]. Mechanistically, the CPC guides Aurora B through mitosis to control chromosome alignment, histone modification, kinetochore-microtubule error correction, spindle checkpoint signaling, and cytokinesis[1][2]. Therefore, Aurora B activity supports faithful chromosome segregation by releasing incorrect kinetochore-microtubule attachments, while reduced activity increases chromosome missegregation and aneuploid-cell generation[2]. In disease models, Aurora B deregulation or overexpression appears in several tumors, and studies in hepatocellular carcinoma, oral squamous cell carcinoma, prostate carcinoma, and glioblastoma connect Aurora B activity with recurrence, prognosis, tumor growth, or mitotic disruption[3][4][5][6]. Compared with related isoforms, Aurora A localizes to spindle poles and regulates mitotic entry, centrosome maturation, and spindle assembly, whereas Aurora B localizes with the CPC from inner centromeres to the spindle midzone and midbody[7]. Aurora C can act as a chromosomal passenger protein and complement Aurora B in mitotic cells, but Aurora B shows preferential INCENP binding and earlier M-phase expression[8]. For experimental applications, Aurora B or pan-Aurora inhibitors such as VX-680, AMG900, and danusertib help dissect metaphase-anaphase transition, cytokinetic initiation, mitotic progression, and cancer-cell proliferation[6][9][10].
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