In searching for cellular targets of the HTLV-I oncoprotein Tax, we id
entified TXBP181,which we characterized as the human homolog of yeast
mitotic checkpoint MAD1 protein. Evidence supporting TXBP181 as HsMAD1
includes sequence conservation with yeast MAD1, hyperphosphorylation
during S/G(2)/M phases and upon treatment of cells with nocodazole, an
d binding to HsMAD2. HsMAD1 functions as a homodimer. It localizes to
the centrosome during metaphase and to the spindle midzone and the mid
body during anaphase and telophase. Expression of either Tax or a tran
sdominant-negative TXBP181 results in multinucleated cells, a phenotyp
e consistent with a loss of HsMAD1 function. We propose a model of vir
al transformation in which Tax targets TXBP181, thereby abrogating a m
itotic checkpoint.