Aurora Kinase
Aurora kinases are serine/threonine kinases that are essential for cell proliferation. The enzyme helps the dividing cell dispense its genetic materials to its daughter cells. More specifically, Aurora kinases play a crucial role in cellular division by controlling chromatid segregation. Defects in this segregation can cause genetic instability, a condition which is highly associated with tumorigenesis.
There are three classes of aurora kinases:Aurora A (aka, Aurora 2) functions during prophase of mitosis and is required for correct function of the centrosomes (the microtubule organising centres in eukaryotic cells);Aurora B (aka, Aurora 1) functions in the attachment of the mitotic spindle to the centromere;Aurora C (AURKC) works in germ-line cells and little is known about its function.
