Bora Bridges Aurora-A Activation and Substrate Recognition of PLK1

ABSTRACT: The activation of PLK1 in late G2 is critical for mitotic entry, requiring its phosphorylation by Aurora-A, facilitated by the intrinsically disordered protein Bora. The structural basis of this mechanism has remained unresolved. Here, we present models of the Aurora-A/Bora complex and the Aurora-A/Bora/PLK1 complex, validated with site-specific mutagenesis, biochemical assays and NMR spectroscopy. Bora wraps around the N-lobe of Aurora-A, occupying the pockets used by its other activators. A CDK1 phosphorylation site on Bora (Ser112) mimics the structural role of Aurora-A activation loop phosphorylation within a TPX2-like binding motif. In the ternary complex, Bora bridges the two kinases, orienting the activation loop of PLK1 towards the active site of Aurora-A. Bora residues 56-66 form

SUBMITTER: Jennifer, A Miles 

PROVIDER: S-SCDT-10_1038-S44319-025-00687-Z | biostudies-other |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other