biostudies-literatureWang XEunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human DevelopmentNICHD NIH HHSUniversity of GeorgiaNational Science Foundationjcs256297https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8325960biostudies-literatureUnknown134(14)Oocyte-specific knockdown of pericentrin (PCNT) in transgenic (Tg) mice disrupts acentriolar microtubule-organizing center (aMTOC) formation, leading to spindle instability and error-prone meiotic division. Here, we show that PCNT-depleted oocytes lack phosphorylated Aurora A (pAURKA) at spindle poles, while overall levels are unaltered. To test aMTOC-associated AURKA function, metaphase II (MII) control (WT) and Tg oocytes were briefly exposed to a specific AURKA inhibitor (MLN8237). Similar defects were observed in Tg and MLN8237-treated WT oocytes, including altered spindle structure, increased chromosome misalignment and impaired microtubule regrowth. Yet, AURKA inhibition had a limited effect on Tg oocytes, revealing a critical role for aMTOC-associated AURKA in regulating spindle staJournal of cell scienceLoss of acentriolar MTOCs disrupts spindle pole Aurora A and assembly of the liquid-like meiotic spindle domain in oocytes.PMC8325960HD093383HD092857R56 HD093383R03 HD092857Baumann CDe La Fuente RWang XViveiros MMfalseLoss of acentriolar MTOCs disrupts spindle pole Aurora A and assembly of the liquid-like meiotic spindle domain in oocytes.Oocyte-specific knockdown of pericentrin (PCNT) in transgenic (Tg) mice disrupts acentriolar microtubule-organizing center (aMTOC) formation, leading to spindle instability and error-prone meiotic division. Here, we show that PCNT-depleted oocytes lack phosphorylated Aurora A (pAURKA) at spindle poles, while overall levels are unaltered. To test aMTOC-associated AURKA function, metaphase II (MII) control (WT) and Tg oocytes were briefly exposed to a specific AURKA inhibitor (MLN8237). Similar defects were observed in Tg and MLN8237-treated WT oocytes, including altered spindle structure, increased chromosome misalignment and impaired microtubule regrowth. Yet, AURKA inhibition had a limited effect on Tg oocytes, revealing a critical role for aMTOC-associated AURKA in regulating spindle sta2021-01-01T00:00:00Z2021 Jul2025-04-19T20:45:18.217Z2025-02-19T00:25:42.004ZS-EPMC83259603415236610.1242/jcs.256297