Aurora A plays a role in cell cycle regulation during anaphase and/or telophase, in relation to the function of the centrosome/spindle pole region during chromosome segregation. Aurora A plays a key role during tumor development and progression and is overexpressed in many human cancers including breast, ovarian and colorectal. Aurora A is viewed as a potential target for anticancer drug treatment. Tissue specificity: Highly expressed in testis and weakly in skeletal muscle, thymus and spleen. Also highly expressed in colon, ovarian, prostate, neuroblastoma, breast and cervical cancer cell lines. Synonyms: AIK, ARK1, AURA, BTAK, STK6, STK7, STK15, AURORA2, MGC34538, AURKA