The HORMA (for Hop1p, Rev7p and MAD2) domain has been suggested to recognise chromatin states that result from DNA adducts, double stranded breaks or non-attachment to the spindle and acts as an adaptor that recruits other proteins. MAD2 is a spindle checkpoint protein which prevents progression of the cell cycle upon detection of a defect in mitotic spindle integrity.

1: The Schizosaccharomyces pombe spindle checkpoint protein mad2p blocks anaphase and genetically interacts with the anaphase-promoting complex. He X, Patterson TE, Sazer S; Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1997;94:7965-7970. PMID:9223296

2: The HORMA domain: a common structural denominator in mitotic checkpoints, chromosome synapsis and DNA repair. Aravind L, Koonin EV; Trends Biochem Sci 1998;23:284-286. PMID:9757827