Aurora Kinase A (AURKA) is a serine/threonine kinase belonging to the Aurora kinase family, primarily involved in regulating mitotic progression. It plays critical roles in centrosome maturation, spindle assembly, chromosome segregation, and cytokinesis. Dysregulation of AURKA is strongly linked to genomic instability and tumorigenesis, with its overexpression observed in various cancers, including breast, ovarian, colorectal, and pancreatic carcinomas. This oncogenic association makes AURKA a promising therapeutic target and a prognostic biomarker in cancer research.
AURKA antibodies are essential tools for studying its expression, localization, and activation status in cells and tissues. These antibodies enable detection of AURKA protein levels through techniques like Western blotting, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and immunofluorescence (IF). Specific antibodies can distinguish between active (phosphorylated) and inactive forms, particularly at the conserved Threonine 288 residue, which is crucial for assessing kinase activity. Researchers also utilize AURKA antibodies in functional studies, such as investigating its interaction partners or evaluating drug efficacy in preclinical models.
Commercial AURKA antibodies are typically validated for species reactivity (human, mouse, rat) and application-specific performance. However, users must verify specificity due to potential cross-reactivity with homologous kinases (e.g., AURKB/C) or splice variants. Proper controls, including knockout cell lines or siRNA-treated samples, are recommended to confirm antibody reliability. These reagents continue to support advances in understanding AURKA's dual roles in normal mitosis and cancer pathophysiology, as well as the development of targeted inhibitors in oncology.