AURKC/AurC

Aurora C (AURKC) is the third mammalian aurora kinase and the most restricted in expression, being found predominantly in germ cells of the testis and in oocytes. During meiosis it associates with the chromosomal passenger complex and functionally overlaps Aurora B to regulate kinetochore-microtubule attachments, chromosome segregation and cytokinesis in dividing germ cells. Homozygous mutations in AURKC are a recognized cause of macrozoospermia, a form of male infertility characterized by large-headed, multi-flagellar spermatozoa, establishing Aurora C as an essential meiotic kinase and a genetically validated player in human reproductive biology.