Aurora related kinase-1 (ARK-1, STK15, Aurora2, Aik1) and -2 (ARK-2, STK12, Aurora1) are centrosome-associated serine/ threonine kinases that regulate centrosome separation, bipolar spindle assembly, and chromosome segregation during mitosis. ARK-1 and -2 are expressed in the nucleus and localize to distinct portions of mitotic machinery such as the centrosome, spindle poles (ARK-1), and midbody (ARK-2) during mitosis. ARK-1 and -2 transcripts are present at high levels in human thymus and fetal liver. ARK-1 protein has elevated expression in colon carcinoma lines (HT-29, SNU-C2B, COLO 205, SW480, 837 and 948) and accumulates during metaphase in HeLa cells. ARK-2 protein levels are maximal during both S and G2/M phases, whereas ARK-1 protein is degraded after G2/M via the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. ARK-2 has a unique genetic loci relative to ARK-1, suggesting that these two kinases, with oncogenic potential, have different roles in cell cycle progression.
Background References
1. Petsalaki E & Zachos G Clks 1, 2 and 4 prevent chromatin breakage by regulating the Aurora B-dependent abscission checkpoint. Nat Commun 7:11451 (2016).
2. Jiang J et al. Cardiac myosin binding protein C regulates postnatal myocyte cytokinesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 112:9046-51 (2015).
Sequence Similarity
Belongs to the protein kinase superfamily. Ser/Thr protein kinase family. Aurora subfamily.
Tissue Specificity
High level expression seen in the thymus. It is also expressed in the spleen, lung, testis, colon, placenta and fetal liver. Expressed during S and G2/M phase and expression is up-regulated in cancer cells during M phase.
Post-translational Modification
The phosphorylation of Thr-232 requires the binding to INCENP and occurs by means of an autophosphorylation mechanism. Thr-232 phosphorylation is indispensable for the AURKB kinase activity.; Ubiquitinated by different BCR (BTB-CUL3-RBX1) E3 ubiquitin ligase complexes. Ubiquitinated by the BCR(KLHL9-KLHL13) E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, ubiquitination leads to removal from mitotic chromosomes and is required for cytokinesis. During anaphase, the BCR(KLHL21) E3 ubiquitin ligase complex recruits the CPC complex from chromosomes to the spindle midzone and mediates the ubiquitination of AURKB. Ubiquitination of AURKB by BCR(KLHL21) E3 ubiquitin ligase complex may not lead to its degradation by the proteasome.
Western blot analysis of Aurora B on different lysates using anti-Aurora B antibody at 1/1,000 dilution. Positive control: Lane 1: Hela cell lysates Lane 2: MCF-7 cell lysates
☑ Knockdown (KD)
All lanes: Western blot analysis of Aurora B with anti-Aurora B antibody (ET1610-25) at 1:500 dilution. Lane 1: Wild-type Hela whole cell lysate (10 µg). Lane 2: Aurora B knockdown Hela whole cell lysate (10 µg).
ET1610-25 was shown to specifically react with Aurora B in wild-type Hela cells. Weakened band was observed when Aurora B knockdown sample was tested. Wild-type and Aurora B knockdown samples were subjected to SDS-PAGE. Proteins were transferred to a PVDF membrane and blocked with 5% NFDM in TBST for 1 hour at room temperature. The primary antibody (ET1610-25, 1:500) was used in 5% BSA at room temperature for 2 hours. Goat Anti-Rabbit IgG-HRP Secondary Antibody (HA1001) at 1:200,000 dilution was used for 1 hour at room temperature.
Immunohistochemical analysis of paraffin-embedded human tonsil tissue using anti-Aurora B antibody. Counter stained with hematoxylin.
Immunocytochemistry analysis of HeLa cells labeling Aurora B with Rabbit anti-Aurora B antibody (ET1610-25) at 1/100 dilution.
Cells were fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde for 20 minutes at room temperature, permeabilized with 0.1% Triton X-100 in PBS for 5 minutes at room temperature, then blocked with 1% BSA in 10% negative goat serum for 1 hour at room temperature. Cells were then incubated with Rabbit anti-Aurora B antibody (ET1610-25) at 1/100 dilution in 1% BSA in PBST overnight at 4 ℃. Goat Anti-Rabbit IgG H&L (iFluor™ 488, HA1121) was used as the secondary antibody at 1/1,000 dilution. PBS instead of the primary antibody was used as the secondary antibody only control. Nuclear DNA was labelled in blue with DAPI.
Aurora B was immunoprecipitated from 0.2 mg HepG2 cell lysate with ET1610-25 at 2 µg/10 µl beads. Western blot was performed from the immunoprecipitate using ET1610-25 at 1/1,000 dilution. HRP Conjugated Anti-Rabbit IgG for IP Nano-secondary antibody at 1/5,000 dilution was used for 1 hour at room temperature.
Lane 1: HepG2 cell lysate (input) Lane 2: ET1610-25 IP in HepG2 cell lysate Lane 3: Rabbit IgG instead of ET1610-25 in HepG2 cell lysate