Aurora A and Aurora B jointly coordinate chromosome segregation and anaphase microtubule dynamics

J Cell Biol. 2011 Dec 26;195(7):1103-13. doi: 10.1083/jcb.201105058. Epub 2011 Dec 19.

Abstract

We established a conditional deletion of Aurora A kinase (AurA) in Cdk1 analogue-sensitive DT40 cells to analyze AurA knockout phenotypes after Cdk1 activation. In the absence of AurA, cells form bipolar spindles but fail to properly align their chromosomes and exit mitosis with segregation errors. The resulting daughter cells exhibit a variety of phenotypes and are highly aneuploid. Aurora B kinase (AurB)-inhibited cells show a similar chromosome alignment problem and cytokinesis defects, resulting in binucleate daughter cells. Conversely, cells lacking AurA and AurB activity exit mitosis without anaphase, forming polyploid daughter cells with a single nucleus. Strikingly, inhibition of both AurA and AurB results in a failure to depolymerize spindle microtubules (MTs) in anaphase after Cdk1 inactivation. These results suggest an essential combined function of AurA and AurB in chromosome segregation and anaphase MT dynamics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anaphase*
  • Aneuploidy
  • Animals
  • Aurora Kinases
  • CDC2 Protein Kinase / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chickens
  • Chromosome Segregation*
  • Microtubules / metabolism*
  • Mitosis
  • Phenotype
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / deficiency
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Aurora Kinases
  • Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • CDC2 Protein Kinase