LATS2-Ajuba complex regulates gamma-tubulin recruitment to centrosomes and spindle organization during mitosis

LATS2 is a human homolog of Drosophila tumor suppressor lats/warts, and encodes a mitotic kinase whose physiological roles remain to be elucidated. We performed yeast two-hybrid screening and identified a LIM protein Ajuba, as a binding partner of LATS2. LATS2 was localized to the centrosomes throughout the cell cycle and was associated with Ajuba during mitosis, contributing to latter's mitotic phosphorylation. Depletion of LATS2 or Ajuba impaired centrosomal accumulation of gamma-tubulin and spindle formation at the onset of mitosis, suggesting that the LATS2-Ajuba complex regulates organization of the spindle apparatus through recruitment of gamma-tubulin to the centrosome.