Aurora kinase B Adenovirus (Ad-AURORA-2)

Aurora related kinase-1 (ARK-1, STK15, STK6, Aurora2) and -2 (ARK-2, STK12, Aurora1) are centrosome-associated serine/threonine kinases that regulate centrosome separation, bipolar spindle assembly and chromosome segregation during mitosis. First characterized in human colorectal cancers, ARK-1 and -2 are closely related to Drosophila aurora kinases. ARK-1 protein has elevated expression in colon carcinoma lines (HT-29, SNU-C2B, COLO 205, SW480, 837 and 948) and accumulates during metaphase in HeLa cells. ARK-1 and -2 have unique genetic loci, suggesting that these two kinases, with oncogenic potential, play different roles in cell cycle progression.