HAUS Augmin Like Complex Subunit 4 (HAUS4)

HAUS4 is 1 of 8 subunits of the 390-kD human augmin complex. The augmin complex was first identified in Drosophila, and its name comes from the Latin verb 'augmentare,' meaning 'to increase.' The augmin complex is a microtubule-binding complex involved in microtubule generation within the mitotic spindle and is vital to mitotic spindle assembly.

HAUS4 is a critical component of the human augmin complex, and they confirmed interaction of HAUS4 with the other 7 augmin subunits by coimmunoprecipitation analysis. Knockdown of HAUS4 or any of the other augmin subunits resulted in destabilization of kinetochore microtubules, formation of multipolar spindles, fragmentation of centrosomes, and increased centrosome size.