The regulation of gene expression plays an important rolet in cell cycle controls. In this study, a novel $mas3^+$ (mitosis associated protein) gene, a homolog of human SMARCADl, was isolated and characterized from a fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The overall homology between the helicase proteins of the two species is $87\%$. This DEAD/H box-containing molecule has seven highly conserved sequence regions that allow us to place it in the SNF2 family of the helicase superfamily. Knock-out cell of $mas3^+$ gene was constructed using kanMX6 as a selection marker. Survival of mas3 null mutant exposed to UV or MMS was similar to those of wild type cells. $mas3^+$ expression was lowest at $G_2$ and gradually increased. Cytokinesis of mas3 null mutant was abnormal at $26^{circ}C;and;35^{circ}C$ and a large number of multi-septate cells were produced. These results indicate that the $mas3^+$ is involved in cytokinesis and cell shape control.