Regulation of primary cilia targeting the interaction between aurora kinase A and trichoplein

The primary cilium is an antenna-like protruding organelle that detects various signals and changes its length according to the context, thereby regulating cellular functions such as proliferation, differentiation, and migration properly. The role of primary cilia in various diseases is increasingly being elucidated, drawing attention to the potential for novel therapies targeting primary cilia. Activation of Aurora kinase A (AURKA) located at centrioles shortens primary cilia mainly through modulation of microtubules and actin filaments in the axoneme. Abnormal activation of AURKA at centrioles is implicated in the pathophysiology of various diseases, including ciliopathy, obesity, and cancer. The activation of AURKA in centrioles involves interactions with various proteins. Drugs that inhibit these protein-protein interactions can potentially ameliorate the abnormal activation of AURKA at centrioles but not AURKA at other organelles, such as the mitotic spindle, resulting in minimal side effects. This paper focuses on trichoplein, which binds to and activates AURKA in centrioles, and outlines the regulation of primary cilia, targeting the interaction between AURKA and trichoplein.