NEK9

NEK9 (also called Nercc1) is the upstream activating kinase of the NEK6/NEK7 module during mitosis. Activated by CDK1 phosphorylation and by autophosphorylation at the G2/M transition, NEK9 in turn phosphorylates NEK6 and NEK7 to trigger spindle formation, chromosome congression and mitotic progression. NEK9 localizes to the spindle apparatus and interacts with nucleophosmin and other centrosomal substrates. Beyond mitosis, NEK9 variants are associated with a skeletal dysplasia and with aspects of ciliary biology, and NEK9 participates in DNA-damage signaling. Recombinant NEK9 is a key reagent for reconstituting the NEK9-NEK6/7 mitotic kinase cascade.