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. 2023 Jul 4;75:101771. doi: 10.1016/j.molmet.2023.101771

Figure 5.

Figure 5

Divergent control of mitochondrial dynamics by Aurora-A. Left panel: wild-type Aurora-A promotes mitochondrial fission via phosphorylation of the RalA GTPase (1) that is scaffolded to mitochondria via its binding protein RalA-BP (2), thereby facilitating activating phosphorylation of Drp1 by CDK1 (3, 4); this process ensures proper distribution of mitochondria into dividing cells during mitosis. Right panel: amplified Aurora-A is thought to be imported into mitochondria via its N-terminal MTS (mitochondria targeting sequence), which is proteolytically cleaved upon infiltration of the matrix. Here, Aurora-A phosphorylates the mitophagy receptor prohibitin-2 (PHB2) to promote an interaction with LC3B and drive mitophagy and elimination of defective organelles. Aurora-A exported from the mitochondria promotes mitochondrial fusion via unknown mechanisms, and thus maximal ATP production through efficient OXPHOS.