Aurora A is a cell cycle-regulated kinase that appears to be involved in microtubule formation and/or stabilization at the spindle pole during chromosome segregation. The protein is found at the centrosome in interphase cells and at the spindle poles in mitosis.Specifically, Aurora A plays a key role in G2/M progression. Activation occurs via autophosphorylation, and while 14 sites are subject to this, only the threonine residue at position 295 is required for activity. Though autophosphorylation mediates activation, a number of other proteins influence activation, including the spindle assembly factor TPX2 and p53.
