Target: |
NEK3 is a member of the NimA (never in mitosis A) family of serine/threonine protein kinases. It differs from other NimA family members in that it is not cell cycle regulated and is found primarily in the cytoplasm. The kinase is activated by prolactin stimulation, leading to phosphorylation of VAV2 guanine nucleotide exchange factor, paxillin, and activation of the RAC1 GTPase.In Aspergillus nidulans, lack of the serine/threonine kinase NimA (never in mitosis A) results in cell cycle arrest in G2, while overexpression causes the premature onset of mitotic events. The protein encoded by this gene is similar in sequence to the Aspergillus nidulans protein and may therefore play a role in mitotic regulation. However, the encoded protein differs from other NimA family members in that it is not cell cycle regulated and is found primarily in the cytoplasm. Three transcript variants have been found for this gene, but the full-length nature of only two of them has been characterized. |