Cell Division Cycle Associated Protein 8 (CDCA8)

CDCA8 is a component of a chromosomal passenger complex required for stability of the bipolar mitotic spindle . The deduced 280-amino acid human protein, which the authors called Dasra B, shares 42% and 23% identity with Xenopus Dasra B and Dasra A, respectively. Immunofluorescence on metaphase HeLa cells revealed Dasra B in a punctate distribution on chromosomes, coincident with Aurora B (AURKB) staining. The deduced 280-amino acid protein contains 2 putative nuclear localization signals. Secondary structure predictions suggested borealin forms an N-terminal domain of 6 core helices and a C-terminal domain of at least 2 strands and 3 helices. Northern and Western blot analyses showed that borealin mRNA and protein levels were significantly increased in mitosis.