title: Specialize and Divide (Twice): Functions of Three Aurora Kinase Homologs in Mammalian Oocyte Meiotic Maturation.
abstract: The aurora kinases (AURKs) comprise an evolutionarily conserved family of serine/threonine kinases involved in mitosis and meiosis. While most mitotic cells express two AURK isoforms (AURKA and AURKB), mammalian germ cells also express a third, AURKC. Although much is known about the functions of the kinases in mitosis, less is known about how the three isoforms function to coordinate meiosis. This review is aimed at describing what is known about the three isoforms in female meiosis, the similarities and differences between kinase functions, and speculates as to why mammalian germ cells require expression of three AURKs instead of two.
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, Rutgers University, 145 Bevier Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
authors.forename: Alexandra L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics, Rutgers University, 145 Bevier Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA. Electronic address: schindler@biology.rutgers.edu.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Schindler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D064096:Aurora Kinase A / Q000235:genetics*; D064107:Aurora Kinase B / Q000235:genetics*; D064108:Aurora Kinase C / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D005854:Germ Cells / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D008540:Meiosis / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D009865:Oocytes / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D009866:Oogenesis / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: C576918:Aurka protein, mouse; C576924:Aurkb protein, mouse; C576928:Aurkc protein, mouse; D064096:Aurora Kinase A; D064107:Aurora Kinase B; D064108:Aurora Kinase C
keywords: aurora kinase; chromosomal passenger complex; meiosis; oocyte