※ Haspin family introduction

    Haspin (haploid cell-specific protein kinase) family contains one member in human genome. Haspin was first found in male germ cells of mice and Haspin homologues have been identified in a range of eukaryotic organisms. These homologues contain a divergent kinase catalytic domain which is different with classical ePKs. Experiment shows that expression of Haspin is high in testis in human with low levels in multiple somatic tissues. Haspin is a nuclear protein in interphase nuclei and in round spermatids and is associated with chromosomes in mitosis. Studies show that Haspin depletion can cause a defect in chromosome congression and a delay in exit from mitosis. In addition, Haspin-depleted cells can lead to the chromosome alignment defects and overexpression can prevent the normal dissociation of cohesin from chromosome arms (1).

Reference
1. Higgins, J.M. (2010) Haspin: a newly discovered regulator of mitotic chromosome behavior. Chromosoma, 119, 137-147. PMID: 19997740