AURKA/AurA

Aurora A kinase, encoded by AURKA, is a serine/threonine kinase that concentrates at centrosomes and spindle poles from late G2 through mitosis. Activated by binding of the cofactor TPX2, it drives centrosome maturation, mitotic entry and bipolar spindle assembly, phosphorylating substrates that include PLK1 and components of the microtubule machinery. AURKA amplification and overexpression occur in many cancers and are associated with chromosomal instability, and the kinase is also implicated in ciliary resorption. Aurora A is a validated drug target, with inhibitors such as alisertib evaluated clinically in hematologic and solid tumors.