Final Activity Report Summary - NERCC1_NEK6_7 (A novel mitotic signalling pathway composed by the NIMA family protein kinases Nercc1, Nek6 and Nek7. Regulation, functions, and possible implication ?)
We studied the regulation and function of the signalling module formed by the NIMA-family kinases Nercc1/Nek9, Nek6 and Nek7. Protein kinases are molecular switches used by the cell to control the function of the different molecular parts that it needs to perform its function. Nercc1, Nek6 and Nek7 are involved in the division of the cells, specifically in the separation of the mother cell's DNA into two equal groups to be inherited by the daughter cells.
For this, Nercc1, Nek6 and Nek7 are supposed to control different proteins that form the mitotic spindle, a molecular structure of cables and motors that move the DNA during mitosis, the division of the cell nucleus. We have found that these protein kinases indeed bind to different proteins involved in the function of the spindle, and that they directly control one of the central spindle motors.
For this, Nercc1, Nek6 and Nek7 are supposed to control different proteins that form the mitotic spindle, a molecular structure of cables and motors that move the DNA during mitosis, the division of the cell nucleus. We have found that these protein kinases indeed bind to different proteins involved in the function of the spindle, and that they directly control one of the central spindle motors.