ZW10 Interactor (ZWINT)

ZWINT encodes a protein that is clearly involved in kinetochore function although an exact role is not known. It interacts with ZW10, another kinetochore protein, possibly regulating the association between ZW10 and kinetochores. The encoded protein localizes to prophase kinetochores before ZW10 does and it remains detectable on the kinetochore until late anaphase. It has a uniform distribution in the cytoplasm of interphase cells. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene.ZWINT was also able to self associate. In HeLa cells arrested in a metaphase-like state by the microtubule poison nocodazole, ZWINT colocalized with ZW10 at kinetochores at a position slightly outside the central part of the centromere.