Role of NEK2 in Tumorigenesis and Tumor Progression

Overview

Journal Trends Mol Med

Specialties General Medicine
Molecular Biology

Date 2024 Aug 24

PMID 39181803

Authors

Jiliang Xia

Hongyan Zhao

Jacob L Edmondson

Brian Koss

Fenghuang Zhan

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Never in mitosis A (NIMA)-related kinase 2 (NEK2) is a serine/threonine kinase found in the nucleus and cytoplasm throughout the cell cycle. NEK2 is overexpressed in many cancers and is a biomarker of poor prognosis. Factors contributing to NEK2 elevation in cancer cells include oncogenic transcription factors, decreased ubiquitination, DNA methylation, and the circular RNA (circRNA)/long noncoding RNA (lncRNA)-miRNA axis. NEK2 overexpression produces chromosomal instability and aneuploidy, thereby enhancing cancer progression and suppressing antitumor immunity, which highlights the prominence of NEK2 in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Small-molecule inhibitors targeting NEK2 have demonstrated promising therapeutic potential in vitro and in vivo across various cancer types. This review outlines the regulatory mechanisms of NEK2 expression, emphasizes its functional roles in cancer initiation and progression, and highlights the anticancer properties of NEK2 inhibitors.

Citing Articles

Targeting NEK Kinases in Gastrointestinal Cancers: Insights into Gene Expression, Function, and Inhibitors.

Chen L, Lu H, Ballout F, El-Rifai W, Chen Z, Gokulan R Int J Mol Sci. 2025; 26(5).

PMID: 40076620 PMC: 11900214. DOI: 10.3390/ijms26051992.

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