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XB-ART-38272
EMBO J 2008 Oct 08;2719:2567-79. doi: 10.1038/emboj.2008.173.
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Dissecting the role of Aurora A during spindle assembly.

Sardon T , Peset I , Petrova B , Vernos I .


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The centrosomal kinase Aurora A (AurA) is required for cell cycle progression, centrosome maturation and spindle assembly. However, the way it participates in spindle assembly is still quite unclear. Using the Xenopus egg extract system, we have dissected the role of AurA in the different microtubule (MT) assembly pathways involved in spindle formation. We developed a new tool based on the activation of AurA by TPX2 to clearly define the requirements for localization and activation of the kinase during spindle assembly. We show that localized AurA kinase activity is required to target factors involved in MT nucleation and stabilization to the centrosome, therefore promoting the formation of a MT aster. In addition, AurA strongly enhances MT nucleation mediated by the Ran pathway through cytoplasmic phosphorylation. Altogether, our data show that AurA exerts an effect as a key regulator of MT assembly during M phase and therefore of bipolar spindle formation.

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Species referenced: Xenopus laevis
Genes referenced: aurka ran tpx2

References [+] :
Albee, Phosphorylation of maskin by Aurora-A is regulated by RanGTP and importin beta. 2006, Pubmed, Xenbase