NEK3

NEK3 is a neuron-enriched NIMA-related kinase whose expression in the brain exceeds that in most other tissues. It localizes to the cytoplasm and to Golgi-associated structures and, like other family members, is implicated in cell-cycle regulation and centrosome-related functions, though its substrate repertoire is much less defined. Studies in neuronal cells have connected NEK3 to regulation of cell survival and to responses of developing neurons, and reduced NEK3 activity has been observed following certain stress stimuli. The kinase thus appears to couple cell-cycle machinery to post-mitotic neuronal homeostasis. Recombinant NEK3 enables biochemical characterization of this brain-preferential NEK family member.