Method and compounds for inhibiting hec1 ativity for the treatment of proliferative diseases

A method of treating or preventing a disease involving cell hyperproliferation, comprising reducing or preventing phosphorylation of residue 165 of Hec1 protein, or a corresponding functional residue of a homolog of Hec1 protein, thereby lessening cell hyperproliferation.

(canceled)

(canceled)

A method of treating or preventing a disease involving cell hyperproliferation, comprising reducing phosphorylation of amino acid residues other than residue 165 of Hec1 protein, wherein reduced phosphorylation prevents or lessens a protein function characteristic of phosphorylated Hec1 protein.

A method of identifying a molecule that interferes with a function of Hec1 protein, Nek2 protein and/or Hint1 protein and inhibits cell proliferation, comprising:

• a) contacting a sample comprising cells with the molecule or a combination of molecules;
• and
• b) measuring the amount of cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, cell cycle arrest, or apoptosis in the sample exposed to the molecule or combination of molecules, whereby a decrease in cell proliferation, a decrease in cell cycle progression, an increase in cell cycle arrest, or an increase in apoptosis in the sample comprising proliferating cells exposed to the molecule or combination of molecules, relative to the amount of proliferation, cell cycle progression, cell cycle arrest, or apoptosis in a sample comprising proliferating cells not contacted with the molecule or combination of molecules, identifies a molecule or combination of molecules that inhibits proliferation of the cells.