Description
NEK2 (NIMA Related Kinase 2) is a protein kinase which is involved in the control of centrosome separation and bipolar spindle formation in mitotic cells and chromatin condensation in meiotic cells. NEK2 regulates centrosome separation (essential for the formation of bipolar spindles and high-fidelity chromosome separation) by phosphorylating centrosomal proteins such as CROCC, CEP250 and NINL, resulting in their displacement from the centrosomes and regulates kinetochore microtubule attachment stability in mitosis via phosphorylation of NDC80. NEK2 is involved in regulation of mitotic checkpoint protein complex via phosphorylation of CDC20 and MAD2L1 and plays an active role in chromatin condensation during the first meiotic division through phosphorylation of HMGA2. It is also essential for localization of MAD2L1 to kinetochore and MAPK1 and NPM1 to the centrosome. NEK2-mediated phosphorylation of CEP68 promotes CEP68 dissociation from the centrosome and its degradation at the onset of mitosis