NEK6

NEK6 operates in M phase as a downstream effector of the master mitotic kinase NEK9, which phosphorylates and activates both NEK6 and NEK7. NEK6 is required for normal spindle formation and chromosome segregation, and its depletion causes mitotic arrest with spindle defects and apoptosis. The kinase localizes dynamically between nucleus and spindle apparatus and has been connected to regulation of mitotic microtubule dynamics and to DNA-damage-related signaling; reported substrates include β-tubulin. NEK6 expression is elevated in several cancers, supporting its interest as an antimitotic target. Recombinant NEK6 supports mitotic-kinase cascade studies.