Centrosome-associated protein and applications thereof

A method of screening for a substance which activates or inhibits activity of Aster Associated Protein (ASAP) or an ortholog thereof, said substance being selected from the group consisting of a human protein of sequence SEQ ID NO:

• 1 and proteins having sequences which exhibit at least 80% identity or at least 90% similarity, with an entire sequence SEQ ID NO:
• 1,
• wherein intracellular over-expression of said ASAP or an ortholog thereof disturbs organization of a mitotic spindle,
• wherein said method comprises the steps of:
• a) contacting, in a first step, cells of a biological sample expressing said ASAP or an ortholog thereof, with a substance to be tested;
• b) measuring in a second step, the effect of said substance on mitolic spindle organization or the rate of induction of aberrant and abortive mitoses;
• c) comparing, in a third step, the measured effect of said substance to a previously measured effect in an absence of said substance to determine a relative effect of said substance;
• and
• d) selecting, in a fourth step, a substance which activates or inhibits said activity.