NIMA-related kinase 5 (NEK5)

NIMA-related kinase 5 (NEK5) is a member of the NIMA (never in mitosis gene a)-related serine/threonine protein kinase family, which plays important roles in cell cycle regulation and mitosis[1][3]. NEK5 is characterized structurally by a unique DEAD-box domain and acts predominantly in regulating centrosome and cell cycle integrity, as well as chromatin remodeling[1][2][3]. It is predicted to participate in cysteine-type endopeptidase regulation and muscle cell differentiation[2]. Increased expression or aberrant function of NEK5 has been associated with multiple solid tumor types, including breast, lung, prostate, and nasopharyngeal cancer, and is linked to poor prognosis[1]. RNA and protein profiling studies have described its upregulation as a potential marker and therapeutic target in cancer, although most evidence comes from genomics and transcriptomics analyses, with limited direct experimental validation[1]. NEK5 is considered a potential therapeutic target for novel kinase inhibitors, but to date, no approved drugs specifically modulate its function, and its physiological and safety profiles remain incompletely characterized[3].

Other names

Serine/threonine-protein kinase Nek5NimA-related protein kinase 5Never in mitosis A-related kinase 5NIMA (never in mitosis gene a)-related kinase 5NEK5

Inhibition of serine/threonine kinase activity (by small molecule inhibitors, experimental)[3]