Mitotic progression is orchestrated by the microtubule-based motor dynein, which sustains all mitotic spindle functions [1]. During cell division, cytoplasmic dynein acts with the high-molecular-weight complex dynactin and nuclear mitotic apparatus (NuMA) to organize and position the spindle [1]. NuMA contains a hook domain contacting directly LIC1 and LIC2 chains through a conserved hydrophobic patch shared among other Hook adaptors [1]. Hook adaptor proteins share an N-terminal conserved globular hook domain, which folds as a variant of the helical calponin homology (CH) domain [1].

1: Organizational Principles of the NuMA-Dynein Interaction Interface and Implications for Mitotic Spindle Functions. Renna C, Rizzelli F, Carminati M, Gaddoni C, Pirovano L, Cecatiello V, Pasqualato S, Mapelli M; Structure. 2020;28:820-829. PMID:32413290