Overexpression of an Aurora-C kinase-deficient mutant disrupts the Aurora-B/INCENP complex and induces polyploidy

Aurora kinases are emerging as key regulators of centrosome function, chromosome segregation and cytokinesis. We previously isolated Aurora-C (Aie1), a third type of Aurora kinase, in a screen for kinases expressed in mouse sperm and eggs. Currently, we know very little about the precise localization and function of Aurora-C. Immunofluorescence analysis of ectopically expressed GFP-Aurora-C has revealed that Aurora-C is a new member of the chromosomal passenger proteins localizing first to the centromeres and then to the central spindles during cytokinesis. In order to study the potential role of Aurora-C, we examined the effects of a kinase-deficient (KD) mutant (AurC-KD) in HeLa Tet-Off cells under tetracycline control. Our results showed that overexpression of AurC-KD causes defects in cell division and induces polyploidy and apoptosis. Interestingly, AurC-KD overexpression also inhibits centromere/kinetochore localization of Aurora-B, Bub1, and BubR1, reduces histone H3 phosphorylation, and disrupts the association of INCENP with Aurora-B. Together, our results showed that Aurora-C is a chromosomal passenger protein, which may serve as a key regulator in cell division.