New tasks attributed to Aurora proteins in cell division
Thursday, June 30, 2011 - 10:31
in Biology & Nature
New information from fission yeast provides clues for research on cancer treatments. When a cell divides, the genetic information in the chromosomes must be passed on error-free to the daughter cells. Researchers are studying this process using fission yeast as a model organism. They have succeeded in attributing additional tasks to the Aurora enzymes, which were already recognized as important cellular tools for the reliable transmission of genetic information. Because uncontrolled cell division is a feature of tumors, Aurora enzyme inhibitors are already being tested as new cancer treatments, and these new insights from basic research may prove to be of use for this clinical research.
