A human homolog of Drosophila warts tumor suppressor, h-warts, localized to mitotic apparatus and specifically phosphorylated during mitosis

Ne identified a human homolog of Drosophila warts tumor suppressor gene, te rmed h-warts, which was mapped at chromosome 6q24-25.1, The h-warts protein has a serine/threonine kinase domain and is localized to centrosomes in in terphase cells. However, it becomes localized to the mitotic apparatus, inc luding spindle pole bodies, mitotic spindle, and midbody, in a highly dynam ic manner during mitosis, Furthermore, h-warts is specifically phosphorylat ed in cells at mitotic phase, most likely by Cdc2 kinase, These findings su ggest that h-warts functions as a component of the mitotic apparatus and is involved in proper progression of mitosis.