Aurora A kinase (AURKA) is a major regulator of mitosis and an important driver of cancer progression. The roles of AURKA outside of mitosis, and how these might contribute to cancer progression, are not well understood. Here, we show that a fraction of cytoplasmic AURKA is associated with mitochondria, co-fractionating in cell extracts and interacting with mitochondrial proteins by reciprocal co-immunoprecipitation. We have also found that the dynamics of the mitochondrial network are sensitive to AURKA inhibition, depletion or overexpression. This can account for the different mitochondrial morphologies observed in RPE-1 and U2OS cell lines, which show very different levels of expression of AURKA. We identify the mitochondrial fraction of AURKA as influencing mitochondrial morphology, because an N-terminally truncated version of the kinase that does not localize to mitochondria does not affect the mitochondrial network. We identify a cryptic mitochondrial targeting sequence in the AURKA N-terminus and discuss how alternative conformations of the protein may influence its cytoplasmic fate.

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Epiploic appendages are normal pedunculated peritoneal fat containing outpouchings bordering tenia coli on the anti-mesenteric surface of the colon, extending from caecum to the rectosigmoid. Functions are currently unknown, though some postulate them a blood reservoir. The epiploic appendages can become inflamed, with clinical presentations mimicking that of diverticulitis or acute appendicitis. However, unlike acute diverticulitis or appendicitis, epiploic appendagitis are treated conservatively with antibiotics. Currently, the estimated rate of correct preoperative diagnosis of epiploic appendagitis is 2.5%, but due to benign nature of epiploic appendagitis, it is important to appropriately diagnose it preoperatively and thus preventing unnecessary surgical interventions. Clinical features include focal area of pain, often with normal white blood cell count, that often is common in other differential diagnoses. CT scan plays a crucial role in diagnosis and shows an oval fatty density solid lesion along anterior colonic wall surface, surrounded by a rim of fat stranding. Treatment is conservative and involves use of anti-inflammatory medication.

The thalamus is a part of the diencephalon, containing numerous connections between the forebrain and subcortical structures. It serves an important function as a relay center between the cerebral cortex and the subcortical regions, particularly with sensory information. The thalamus also plays a major role in regulating arousal and the levels of awareness. Distinct vascular distribution of the thalamus give rises to different syndromic presentation of thalamic nuclei infarcts. The clinical records and available imaging studies of patients with confirmed thalamic territory infarcts on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at the University Hospital of Rochester were reviewed and analyzed. This analysis was then used to provide an effective summary of thalamic vascular anatomy, the clinical symptoms, and syndromes associated with strokes in the affected territories. Specifically, we review the syndromes associated with classic vascular territories, including the anterior, paramedian, inferolateral, and posterior thalamic nuclei, that are supplied by the polar (tuberothalamic), paramedian, inferolateral (thalamogeniculate), and posterior choroidal arteries, respectively. In addition, we will also review the variant thalamic territories and associated infarction syndromes of the anteromedian, central, and posterolateral territories. This review article is aimed to better the clinical and radiologic understanding as well as the diagnosis of classic and variant thalamic territory infarcts. This article will also briefly touch on the recovery of function after thalamic infarcts.