Borealin: Proteins and Enzymes

Borealin (CDCA8) is a component of the chromosomal passenger complex (CPC), which is required for stability of the bipolar mitotic spindle and 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. In the complex, it may be required to direct the CPC to centromeric DNA.

Borealin has been shown to interact with Aurora B and survivin (BIRC5). Knockdown of Borealin by small interfering RNA resulted in severe chromosome misalignment at metaphase and accumulation of multiple interphase nuclei. Borealin is also related to the proliferation of human embryonic stem (hES) cells and is highly expressed in mouse undifferentiated ES cells.
Borealin antibodies are useful tools for stem cell studies and cell division research.