NIMA-related kinase 2 (NEK2)

NIMA-related kinase 2 (NEK2) is a centrosomal serine/threonine-protein kinase that serves as a master regulator of the cell cycle, specifically orchestrating centrosome separation and the formation of a bipolar spindle during mitosis [1, 6, 11]. It is a member of the NIMA (Never In Mitosis gene A) family, and its expression is tightly regulated, peaking during the G2/M transition [4, 5]. NEK2 is significantly overexpressed in numerous malignancies, including multiple myeloma, breast, lung, and hepatocellular carcinomas, where it drives chromosomal instability, aneuploidy, and tumor aggressiveness [1, 3, 12, 17]. Beyond its role in cell division, NEK2 is implicated in drug resistance and various non-cancerous conditions such as polycystic kidney disease and immune dysregulation [1, 12]. Therapeutic strategies targeting NEK2 include small-molecule inhibitors, PROTACs, and RNA interference, aimed at inducing mitotic arrest and apoptosis in cancer cells while potentially overcoming chemoresistance [2, 3, 11, 12].

Other names

NimA-like protein kinase 1HSPK2NEK2ANEK2BNEK2CSerine/threonine-protein kinase Nek2Protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 111

Kinase inhibition (ATP-competitive or covalent), disruption of protein-protein interactions (e.g., Hec1-NEK2), RNA interference (siRNA/miRNA), and targeted protein degradation (PROTACs).