### AURKC Gene Overview

**Gene Symbol:** AURKC  
**Gene Description:** The AURKC gene encodes a serine/threonine protein kinase that is a member of the Aurora family of kinases. It is involved in key regulatory roles during mitosis as part of the chromosomal passenger complex (CPC), which is essential for proper chromosome alignment, segregation, and spindle assembly during cell division.

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### 1. Associated Genes

The AURKC gene is known to interact or share functional relationships with several other genes, including but not limited to:

- **AURKB (Aurora Kinase B):** Functions redundantly with AURKC in cell division and is part of the same chromosomal passenger complex.
- **BIRC5 (Survivin):** A component of the CPC that plays roles in apoptotic resistance and regulation of the cell cycle.
- **INCENP (Inner Centromere Protein):** Another key component of the CPC that is crucial for the functions of AURKC.
- **TACC1 (Transforming Acidic Coiled-Coil Protein 1):** A protein involved in microtubule organization, which is a target of AURKC phosphorylation.

Other related genes may include cell cycle regulators and proteins linked to mitosis and meiosis.

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### 2. Aging and Age-Related Diseases

Details connecting AURKC to aging or age-related diseases are limited, but there are a few noteworthy points:

- **Cell Cycle Regulation:** Dysregulation of AURKC and other Aurora kinases can lead to abnormalities in cell division, which is a potential contributor to age-related cancers. Overexpression of AURKC has been observed in various cancer types, suggesting a link to oncogenic processes associated with aging.
- **Spermatogenesis and Reproductive Aging:** Given AURKC's role in meiosis and more specifically in spermatogenesis, alterations in its function could impact male fertility as a function of aging.

While direct study linking AURKC to the aging process remains to be clearly defined, a broader understanding of cell cycle dysregulation in aging does suggest potential areas for investigation.

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### 3. Drug Interactions

Drugs that interact with AURKC are typically targeting the Aurora kinase family. Common drug classes include:

- **Aurora Kinase Inhibitors:** 
  - **MK-0457 (VX-680):** A multi-aurora kinase inhibitor shown to affect AURKC along with AURKA and AURKB.
  - **AZD1152 (Barasertib):** Targets AURKB, but may also influence AURKC activity.
  - **CCT137690:** A specificity inhibitor for Aurora kinases that potentially affects AURKC.

- **General Antitumor Agents:** Some chemotherapeutic agents may exert their effects by impacting pathways involved in AURKC activity indirectly, especially in solid tumors where AURKC overexpression correlates with poor prognosis.

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### 4. Pathways and Biological Processes

AURKC is involved in several important pathways and biological processes:

- **Mitosis:** Plays a crucial role in cell cycle regulation, specifically during mitosis. Its functions include chromosome alignment, segregation, and microtubule stabilization during spindle assembly.
- **Meiosis and Gametogenesis:** Involved specifically in spermatogenesis, helping regulate the processes required for male germ cell development.
- **Cell Cycle Checkpoint Regulation:** AURKC is implicated in the regulatory checkpoints ensuring the fidelity of cell division and preventing aneuploidy.
- **Phosphorylation Processes:** Acts as a kinase for histone H3 and other substrates, modulating functionality through phosphorylation, an essential mechanism for chromatin restructuring during cell division.

### Summary

AURKC is an essential protein kinase that plays critical roles in mitosis and meiosis and has implications in cancer biology. With additional research, connections to aging and potential therapeutic targets can be better elucidated, particularly in the context of cellular senescence and oncogenesis.