pre-mRNA splicing is regulated by an Aurora-A-mediated phopsho-signaling network

In this study, we identified many new potential interactors of the Aurora-A kinase using a proteomic approach. A significant portion of Aurora-A interaction network is composed of proteins involved in pre-mRNA splicing, implying that Aurora-A signaling extends beyond its canonical function. Aurora-A directly interacts with many of the RRM domain-containing splicing factors such as SR proteins and hnRNP proteins and phosphorylates them in vitro. Aurora-A shows a subcellar distribution to nuclear speckles, the storehouse of splicing factors, consistent with its potential function in pre-mRNA splicing. Moreover, RNA-seq analysis of pharmacologically inhibited Aurora-A cells identified 261 genes whose RNA splicing is dependent on Aurora-A activity. These splicing affected genes are involved in various biological processes such as transcription, GTPase activity, ciliogenesis, DNA repair, RNA splicing and G2/M transition. Here, for the first time, we uncovered a relationship between Aurora-A activity and mRNA processing through a complex network of factors involved in RNA maturation.