Mitochondrial Aurora kinase A induces mitophagy by interacting with MAP1LC3 and Prohibitin 2

Epithelial and haematologic tumours often show the overexpression of serine/threonine kinase AURKA. Recently, AURKA was shown to localise at mitochondria, where it regulates mitochondrial dynamics ATP production. Here we define molecular mechanisms in regulating turnover by mitophagy. triggers degradation Inner Mitochondrial Membrane/matrix proteins interacting with core components autophagy pathway. On inner membrane, forms a tripartite complex MAP1LC3 mitophagy receptor PHB2, which PARK2/Parkin–independent manner. The formation is induced phosphorylation PHB2 on Ser39, required for interact PHB2. Last, treatment ligand xanthohumol blocks AURKA-induced destabilising restores normal production levels. Altogether, these data provide evidence role promoting through interaction MAP1LC3. This work paves way use function-specific pharmacological inhibitors counteract effects cancer.