CENPW was initially identified as a gene that was upregulated in multiple cancers, and whose overexpression in mouse fibroblast cells gave rise to distinct cancer-specific phenotypes. It was later found to be a nuclear protein that associated with CENPT, a component of CENPA nucleosome complex in the centromere, and is required for proper kinetochore function. CENPW also specifically interacts with the nucleolar phosphoprotein nucleophosmin, also known as B23 It has been suggested that nucleophosmin functions in the assembly of the kinetochore by interacting with CENPW during interphase. Overexpression of CENPW in the SKOV-3 human ovarian cancer cell line as well as in the zebrafish embryo led to apoptosis, suggesting that high levels of CENPW induces apoptotic cell death.Synonyms: C6orf173, CENPW, CUG2, Cancer-up-regulated gene 2 protein, Centromere protein W