2. Academic Validation
  3. NEK kinases in cell cycle regulation, DNA damage response, and cancer progression

NEK kinases in cell cycle regulation, DNA damage response, and cancer progression

  • Tissue Cell. 2025 Jun:94:102811. doi: 10.1016/j.tice.2025.102811.
Joy T Folahan 1,  Nektarios Barabutis 2
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 School of Basic Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Louisiana Monroe, Monroe, LA 71201, USA.
  • 2 School of Basic Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Louisiana Monroe, Monroe, LA 71201, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
PMID: 40037068 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2025.102811
Abstract

The NIMA-related kinase (NEK) family of serine/threonine kinases is essential for the regulation of cell cycle progression, mitotic spindle assembly, and genomic stability. In this review, we explore the structural and functional diversity of NEK kinases, highlighting their roles in both canonical and non-canonical cellular processes. We examine recent preclinical findings on NEK inhibition, showcasing promising results for NEK-targeted therapies, particularly in Cancer types characterized by high NEK expression. We discussed the therapeutic potential of targeting NEKs as modulators of cell cycle and DDR pathways, with a focus on identifying strategies to exploit NEK activity for enhanced treatment efficacy. Future research directions are proposed to further elucidate NEK-mediated mechanisms and to develop selective inhibitors that target NEK-related pathways.

Keywords

Genomic instability; Mitosis; Replication stress.

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