NIMA-related kinase 2 (NEK2) (NEK2)

NIMA-related kinase 2 (NEK2) is a serine/threonine-protein kinase that plays a pivotal role in the regulation of mitosis, particularly in centrosome separation and spindle assembly (UniProt P51955). It is a member of the NIMA (Never In Mitosis A) family of kinases and is essential for the G2/M transition in the cell cycle (PubMed: 24104459). NEK2 is frequently overexpressed in a wide variety of human cancers, including multiple myeloma, breast, and lung cancers, where its high expression correlates with poor prognosis, chromosomal instability, and resistance to chemotherapy (PubMed: 30034545). Therapeutic strategies targeting NEK2 include the development of small-molecule inhibitors like MMB-1 and JH-AI-05, as well as RNA-based therapies such as siRNA and antisense oligonucleotides designed to degrade NEK2 mRNA (PubMed: 26503464). By inhibiting NEK2 or reducing its mRNA levels, researchers aim to trigger mitotic arrest and apoptosis in malignant cells, making it a promising target for precision oncology (PubMed: 21135154).

Other names

HSPK2NLK1NimA-related protein kinase 2Never in mitosis A-related kinase 2

Small-molecule inhibition of the kinase catalytic domain or RNA interference (siRNA/ASO) to degrade mRNA and prevent protein translation.