New insights into cell cycle regulation

During cell division, a multitude of changes has to occur concomitantly. Kinases, which have the ability to modify proteins by adding phosphate groups, play a crucial role during this process. Researchers at the Friedrich Miescher Laboratory have examined which proteins are modified by the Aurora kinase. This kinase is crucial for proper inheritance of the genetic information during cell division, and inhibitors of this kinase are currently tested in clinical trials. Elucidating the substrates of the Aurora kinase is therefore of both scientific and clinical relevance.