NEK7, active

NEK7 is a protein kinase which plays an important role in mitotic cell cycle progression and required for microtubule nucleation activity of the centrosome, robust mitotic spindle formation and cytokinesis. It phosphorylates RPS6KB1 (by similarity). It phosphorylates EML4 at 'Ser-146', promoting its dissociation from microtubules during mitosis which is required for efficient chromosome congression. NEK7 is an essential protein for NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and activation that acts downstream stimuli such as K⁺ efflux. Dispensable for the induction of core inflammasome components, but necessary for subsequent formation of the NLRP3:PYCARD complex, and activation of CASP1. It serves as a cellular switch that enforces mutual exclusivity of the inflammasome response and cell division. It exerts its effects on the NLRP3 inflammasome independently of its kinase activity GenBank AB062450