Abstract: Human Myt-1 kinase polypeptides and DNA (RNA) encoding such enzyme and a procedure for producing such polypeptides by recombinant techniques is disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for utilizing such human Myt-1 kinase in the development of treatments for cancers, such as leukemias, solid tumors and metastases; chronic inflammatory proliferative diseases, such as psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis; proliferative cardiovascular diseases, such as restenosis; proliferative ocular disorders, such as diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration; and benign hyperproliferative diseases, such as benign prostatic hypertrophy and hemangiomas, among others, are also disclosed. Also disclosed are diagnostic assays for detecting diseases related to mutations in the nucleic acid sequences and altered concentrations of the polypeptides.