NEK

Eleven NIMA-related kinases, NEK1 through NEK11, are named for their homology to the Aspergillus NIMA mitotic regulator. They share an N-terminal catalytic domain with Nek-specific insertions and C-terminal regions that bind distinct partners, giving each member a specialized location and function. NEK2 controls centrosome disjunction and ciliary resorption, NEK6, NEK7 and NEK9 act on the mitotic spindle, and NEK7 is required for NLRP3 inflammasome assembly. NEK1, NEK8 and NEK11 participate in ciliary and DNA damage responses, with NEK8 mutations causing nephronophthisis and NEK1 variants associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. NEK10 contributes to cell-cycle checkpoints after genotoxic stress.