RESEARCH: CANCER
FOLDING PROJECT #16465 PROFILE

The project relates to Aurora A Kinase (AURKA), a protein crucial for cell growth. When AURKA is faulty, it can cause cancer. Blocking AURKA could help fight cancer by stopping tumor growth and making chemotherapy more effective.

This project studies a cancer target named Aurora A Kinase (AURKA) - It is implicated with important processes during mitosis and meiosis whose proper function is integral for healthy cell proliferation (AKA Mitosis).

AURKA misbehaving (via mutation) has been associated with high occurrence of cancers like Prostate Cancer.

In the clinic, when other cancer targets like EGFR are treated with Chemotherapy AURKA reactivate tumors and prevent chemotherapy efficacy.

Therefore, studying AURKA and ways to block AURKA function will provide new ways to target tumors.

Aurora A Kinase

A protein kinase involved in cell division.

Aurora A Kinase (AURKA) is a protein crucial for cell division. It helps regulate processes like mitosis and meiosis, which are essential for healthy cell growth. When AURKA malfunctions due to mutations, it can contribute to the development of various cancers, including prostate cancer. Understanding how to inhibit AURKA activity could lead to new cancer treatment strategies.

Mitosis

The process of cell division that produces two identical daughter cells.

Mitosis is a fundamental process where a single cell divides into two identical daughter cells. It's essential for growth, repair, and asexual reproduction in organisms. During mitosis, chromosomes are replicated and evenly distributed to the new cells, ensuring each daughter cell receives a complete set of genetic information.

Meiosis

A type of cell division that produces gametes (sperm and egg cells).

Meiosis is a specialized type of cell division that occurs in sexually reproducing organisms. It involves two rounds of cell division, resulting in four daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes as the parent cell. These daughter cells are called gametes (sperm and egg) and are essential for sexual reproduction.

Prostate Cancer

Cancer that originates in the prostate gland.

Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the prostate gland, a small walnut-shaped gland found in men. It's one of the most common cancers among men and can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated. Treatment options for prostate cancer include surgery, radiation therapy, hormone therapy, and chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy

The use of drugs to treat cancer.

Chemotherapy is a powerful treatment method used to kill cancer cells. It involves using various drugs that target and destroy rapidly dividing cells, including cancer cells. Chemotherapy can be administered intravenously, orally, or topically, depending on the type and stage of cancer.

EGFR

Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor

EGFR (Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor) is a protein found on the surface of many cells. Certain types of cancer can have too much EGFR, which promotes uncontrolled cell growth. Targeted therapies that inhibit EGFR are used to treat these cancers.