Aurora Kinase B (AURKB)

Aurora B kinase is a protein that functions in the attachment of the mitotic spindle to the centromere. Chromosomal segregation during mitosis as well as meiosis is regulated by kinases and phosphatases. The Aurora kinases associate with microtubules during chromosome movement and segregation. Aurora kinase B localizes to microtubules near kinetochores, specifically to the specialized microtubules called K-fibers, and Aurora kinase A localizes to centrosomes. In cancerous cells, over-expression of these enzymes causes unequal distribution of genetic information, creating aneuploid cells, a hallmark of cancer.High level expression seen in the thymus. It is also expressed in the spleen, lung, testis, colon, placenta and fetal liver.