Serine/threonine-protein kinase component of the chromosomal passenger complex (CPC), a complex that acts as a key regulator of mitosis. The CPC complex has essential functions at the centromere in ensuring correct chromosome alignment and segregation and is required for chromatin-induced microtubule stabilization and spindle assembly. Plays also a role in meiosis and more particularly in spermatogenesis. Has redundant cellular functions with AURKB and can rescue an AURKB knockdown. Like AURKB, AURKC phosphorylates histone H3 at 'Ser-10' and 'Ser-28' Phosphorylates TACC1, another protein involved in cell division, at 'Ser-228'
Tissue Specificity
Isoform 1 and isoform 2 are expressed in testis. Elevated expression levels were seen only in a subset of cancer cell lines such as Hep-G2, Huh-7 and HeLa. Expression is maximum at M phase
Cellular Localization
Nucleus. Chromosome. Chromosome, centromere. Cytoplasm, cytoskeleton, spindle. Note=Distributes in the condensed chromosomes during prophase to metaphase. After entering anaphase, there is a dissociation from separated chromosomes and a redistribution to midzone microtubules, and finally remains in the midbody during cytokinesis