NEK6

NEK6

A gene on chromosome 9q33.3-q34.11 that encodes a NEK serine/threonine protein kinase that plays a key role in cell cycle progression and is required for chromosome segregation at metaphase-anaphase transition, mitotic spindle formation and cytokinesis. NEK6 phosphorylates ATF4, CIR1, PTN, RAD26L, RBBP6, RPS7, RPS6KB1, TRIP4, STAT3, histones H1 and H3, and KIF11 to promote mitotic spindle formation. It is involved in G2/M-phase cell cycle arrest induced by DNA damage, the inhibition of which results in apoptosis. It may contribute to tumourigenesis by suppressing p53/TP53-induced cancer cell senescence. It is upregulated by NEK9 and interacts with ANKRA2, ATF4, APBB1, ARHGAP33, CDC42, CIR1, KIF11, PRAM1, PTN, PRDX3, PIN1, RAD26L, RBBP6, RPS6KB1, RPS7, STAT3 and TRIP4.