Journal Article

PUBDB-2026-01383

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png The N-Myc MB0-MBI region interacts specifically and dynamically with the N-lobe of Aurora kinase A

Hultman, J. ; Morad, V. ; Tanner, E. ; Kenney, T. M. G. ; Pietras, Z. ; Khare, L. P. ; Derbyshire, D. ; Resetca, D. ; Arrowsmith, C. H. ; Aili, D. ; Ekström, S. ; Penn, L. Z. ; Wallner, B. ; Ahlner, A. (Corresponding author) ; Sunnerhagen, M. (Corresponding author)Extern*EMBL*

2026
Springer Nature [London]

This record in other databases:  

Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1038/s41467-026-69725-1  doi:10.3204/PUBDB-2026-01383

Abstract: The intrinsically disordered MYC proteins are master regulators of cellular growth and function, but when deregulated they become cancer drivers. MYC-protein interactions are key to oncogenesis, and while disrupting such interactions would be of significant therapeutic benefit, the intrinsically disordered properties of MYC have dramatically hampered their characterization. Here, we apply an integrated structural biology approach to describe the structure and dynamics of the N-Myc–Aurora A complex, which is critical in neuroendocrine tumor progression. We reveal a functional interaction where multiple binding sites on N-Myc interact with the Aurora A N-lobe. The interaction is governed by aromatic clusters within the conserved MB0 and MBI motifs in N-Myc that interact with Aurora A in a dynamic binding mode that allosterically promotes kinase activation. We show that N-Myc binding to the Aurora A N-lobe can be inhibited by the small-molecule AurkinA, providing opportunity for therapeutical strategies to disrupt this interaction.

---

Contributing Institute(s):

1. EMBL-User (EMBL-User)

Research Program(s):

1. 6G3 - PETRA III (DESY) (POF4-6G3) (POF4-6G3)
2. MOSBRI - MOlecular-Scale Biophysics Research Infrastructure (101004806) (101004806)
3. PROTECT - Protease Profiling and Triggered Drug Delivery for Personalized Cancer Therapy (101044665) (101044665)

Experiment(s):

1. PETRA Beamline P12 (PETRA III)

Appears in the scientific report 2026

---

Database coverage:
; ; ; ; Article Processing Charges ; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Agriculture, Biology and Environmental Sciences ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; DOAJ Seal ; Essential Science Indicators ; Fees ; IF >= 15 ; JCR ; PubMed Central ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection ; Zoological Record

---