Never In Mitosis Gene A Related Kinase 11 (NEK11)

NEK11 belongs to the NIMA family of kinases, which are involved in DNA replication and genotoxic stress responses. The catalytic domain contains subdomains typical of serine/threonine kinases, including an ATP-interacting residue, lys61. RNA dot blot analysis showed that overall expression of NEK11 was low, with weak expression in cerebellum, trachea, lung, appendix, and uterus only. In synchronized HeLa cells, endogenous NEK11L mRNA levels were low at G1/S and peaked at G2/M. Western blot analysis detected endogenous NEK11L at an apparent molecular mass of about 75 kD. Immunofluorescence localization detected NEK11 in nuclei of interphase cells, on polar microtubules during prometaphase and metaphase, and in a diffuse distribution during anaphase.