Patent ID: 7423018

Claim:
A method for identifying a compound that modulates activity of a KIF18A polypeptide, the method comprising: a) obtaining a test cell containing a KIF18A polypeptide that is at least 95% identical to SEQ ID NO:2 and that localizes to the distal ends of astral microtubules in dividing cells, and a control cell containing said KIF18A polypeptide; b) incubating the test cell with a test compound; and c) detecting an altered localization of the KIF18A polypeptide in the test cell as compared to the KIF18A polypeptide in the control cell, wherein the altered localization is localization to a region other than a growth cone of an interphase cell or the distal ends of astral microtubules of a dividing cell, wherein an altered localization indicates that the test compound modulates activity of the KIF18A polypeptide.