NEK7
NEK7 (NIMA related kinase 7) is a serine/threonine protein kinase of the NIMA-related family that supports mitotic cell cycle progression. It also acts as an essential activator of NLRP3 inflammasome assembly, independently of its kinase activity. Browse Assay Genie's current range of NEK7 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
NEK7 is a protein kinase with an important role in mitotic cell cycle progression. It is required for microtubule nucleation activity of the centrosome, robust mitotic spindle formation and cytokinesis. Among its substrates, NEK7 phosphorylates EML4 at Ser-146, which promotes EML4 dissociation from microtubules during mitosis and is required for efficient chromosome congression. It also phosphorylates RPS6KB1.
NEK7 has a second, kinase-independent role in innate immunity. It is an essential activator of NLRP3 inflammasome assembly. Following NLRP3 translocation into the microtubule organizing centre (MTOC), NEK7 unlocks NLRP3, relieves its autoinhibition and promotes formation of the NLRP3:PYCARD complex, leading to activation of CASP1. NEK7 therefore works as a cellular switch that enforces mutual exclusivity between the inflammasome response and cell division: during mitosis, interaction with NEK9 prevents NEK7 from binding NLRP3 and so blocks inflammasome activation.
The NEK7 protein is found in the nucleus and the cytoplasm, including the spindle pole and the centrosome. It belongs to the protein kinase superfamily, in the NEK Ser/Thr protein kinase family and NIMA subfamily. The NIMA-related kinases share high sequence identity with the product of the Aspergillus nidulans 'never in mitosis A' gene, which controls initiation of mitosis. The NEK7 gene was previously named NIMA (never in mitosis gene a)-related kinase 7, and mouse and rat each have a Nek7 ortholog.
NEK7 is needed for mitotic cell cycle progression, centrosomal microtubule nucleation, spindle formation and cytokinesis.
NEK7 unlocks NLRP3 at the MTOC, promoting NLRP3:PYCARD complex formation and CASP1 activation.
By phosphorylating EML4 at Ser-146, NEK7 promotes its release from microtubules, which supports chromosome congression during mitosis.
NEK7 phosphorylates RPS6KB1, and its interaction with NEK9 separates inflammasome activation from cell division.
NEK7 is a serine/threonine kinase required for centrosomal microtubule nucleation, mitotic spindle formation and cytokinesis. It also activates NLRP3 inflammasome assembly independently of its kinase activity, promoting NLRP3:PYCARD complex formation and CASP1 activation.
NEK7 belongs to the NEK Ser/Thr protein kinase family, NIMA subfamily. Its interaction with NEK9 during mitosis prevents it from binding NLRP3, so the inflammasome is not activated while the cell divides. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Yes. Mouse and rat each have a Nek7 ortholog. The NIMA-related kinases share high sequence identity with the Aspergillus nidulans 'never in mitosis A' gene product, which controls initiation of mitosis. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other NIMA-related kinases, NLRP3 inflammasome components and NEK7 substrates with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q8TDX7; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.