Cloning and characterization of hMAP126, a new member of mitotic spindle-associated proteins

One novel gene product, hMAP126, was demonstrated to interact with p29 in the yeast two-hybrid assay. The full-length cDNA of hMAP126 has been obtained and encodes a protein of 1120 amino acids. Multiple tissue Northern blot analysis showed that hMAP126 was abundantly expressed in the testis. Polyclonal antiserum against hMAP126 was raised and affinity-purification of anti-hMAP126 antibodies was performed. The subcellular distribution of hMAP126 was localized to the mitotic spindle. Furthermore, hMAP126 was identified to be post-translationally modified and phosphorylated by p34(cdc2) kinase in vitro. Taken together, we have isolated a novel protein, hMAP126, which may be involved in the functional and dynamic regulation of mitotic spindles. (C) 2001 Academic Press.