REVIEW: The Role of Aurora B Kinase in Normal and Cancer Cells

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Ekaterina Titova^1,a*, Galina Shagieva¹, Vera Dugina^1,2, and Pavel Kopnin³

¹Belozersky Institute of Physico-Chemical Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia

²Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 119991 Moscow, Russia

³Institute of Carcinogenesis, Blokhin National Medical Research Centre of Oncology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 115478 Moscow, Russia

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received September 18, 2023; Revised October 22, 2023; Accepted October 28, 2023

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Aurora kinases are essential players in mammalian cell division. These kinases are involved in the regulation of spindle dynamics, microtubule–kinetochore interactions, and chromosome condensation and orientation during mitosis. At least three members of the Aurora family – Aurora kinases A, B, and C – have been identified in mammals. Aurora B is essential for maintaining genomic stability and normal cell division. Mutations and dysregulation of this kinase are implicated in tumor initiation and progression. In this review, we discuss the functions of Aurora B, the relationship between increased Aurora B activity and carcinogenesis, and the prospects for the use of Aurora B kinase inhibitors in antitumor therapy.

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KEY WORDS: Aurora B, cell cycle, mitosis, cancer, Aurora B inhibitors

DOI: 10.1134/S0006297923120088

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