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Nek7 kinase is enriched at the centrosome, and is required for proper spindle assembly and mitotic progression
Author(s) -
Yissachar Nissan,
Salem Hagit,
Tennenbaum Tamar,
Motro Benny
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/j.febslet.2006.10.069
Subject(s) - centrosome , microbiology and biotechnology , spindle apparatus , mitosis , multipolar spindles , spindle checkpoint , kinase , polo like kinase , biology , microtubule , aurora a kinase , spindle pole body , chemistry , cell cycle , cell , cell division , genetics
Members of the NIMA‐related kinases (NRK) family are recently emerging as central regulators of various aspects of the cell cycle. However, the cellular roles of the mammalian NRK, Nek7, remain obscure. We show here that the endogenous Nek7 protein is enriched at the centrosome in a microtubule‐independent manner. Overexpression of wt or kinase‐defective Nek7 resulted in cells of rounder appearance, and higher proportions of multinuclear and apoptotic cells. Down‐regulation of Nek7 using a small interfering RNA approach resulted in a significant increase in mitotic cells presenting multipolar spindle phenotype. These results suggest a role for Nek7 in regulating proper spindle assembly and mitotic progression.