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PMID: 17727698 Published · epublish English Journal Article

Mitotic regulation by NIMA-related kinases.

Cell division ·Vol. 2 ·2007-08-29 ·Pages 25

O'regan L, Blot J, Fry AM

Abstract

The NIMA-related kinases represent a family of serine/threonine kinases implicated in cell cycle control. The founding member of this family, the NIMA kinase of Aspergillus nidulans, as well as the fission yeast homologue Fin1, contribute to multiple aspects of mitotic progression including the timing of mitotic entry, chromatin condensation, spindle organization and cytokinesis. Mammals contain a large family of eleven NIMA-related kinases, named Nek1 to Nek11. Of these, there is now substantial evidence that Nek2, Nek6, Nek7 and Nek9 also regulate mitotic events. At least three of these kinases, as well as NIMA and Fin1, have been localized to the microtubule organizing centre of their respective species, namely the centrosome or spindle pole body. Here, they have important functions in microtubule organization and mitotic spindle assembly. Other Nek kinases have been proposed to play microtubule-dependent roles in non-dividing cells, most notably in regulating the axonemal microtubules of cilia and flagella. In this review, we discuss the evidence that NIMA-related kinases make a significant contribution to the orchestration of mitotic progression and thereby protect cells from chromosome instability. Furthermore, we highlight their potential as novel chemotherapeutic targets.

Authors & Affiliations
3 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
O'regan Laura
Department of Biochemistry, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK. amf5@le.ac.uk.
Blot Joelle
Fry Andrew M
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Article Info
Journal
Cell division
Abbr.
Cell Div
ISSN
1747-1028
DOI
10.1186/1747-1028-2-25
Email
amf5@le.ac.uk
Published
2007-08-29
Epub
2007-00-29
Pages
25
Language
English
Region
England
NLM ID
101251560
PMCID
PMC2018689
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1186/1747-1028-2-25 PMC Full Text View journal details
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