Protein kinase
The Aurora kinases are a family of three (A, B, and C) enzymes that are important for the accurate segregation of chromosomes into daughter cells during the mitotic stage of the cell cycle (cytokinesis). Aurora A and B are of particular interest since they are strongly associated with cancer and are therefore attractive targets for small-molecule therapeutics. Aurora A and B have been shown to be over-expressed in a broad range of human tumors.1 Inhibition of Aurora B kinase and resulting inhibition of cytokinesis (or anticytokinesis), is an attractive anticancer strategy. Inhibition of Aurora B kinase does not arrest the cell cycle but leads to failure of cytokinesis resulting in polyploidy and, ultimately, cell death.
Learn more about how Aurora kinase inhibtion may impact cancer. Click the play button below.
Next: Targeting DNA Repair: Chk1