Exploring the human Nek kinases as candidate targets for the inhibition of cell growth

• Grant number: 09/11680-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: March 01, 2010
• End date: February 29, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Molecular Biology
• Principal Investigator: Jörg Kobarg
• Grantee: Eduardo Cruz Moraes
• Host Institution: Associação Brasileira de Tecnologia de Luz Síncrotron (ABTLuS). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The Nek (NIMA related kinase) belong to a family of highly conserved kinases involved in cell cycle progression. These kinase domains of these proteins have been described to having about 40% identity with that of the protein NIMA (never in mitosis, gene A) of Aspergillus nidulans, performing similar functions to the Nek proteins, in this fungus. Several proteins of the family of Neks are related to diseases with defects in the cell cycle progression and mechanisms of DNA repair during interphase, especially in different cancers. For these characteristics, these proteins are potential good targets for treatment of cancers. Therefore, the objective of this project is the validation of human Nek kinases as targets for inhibition of cell growth of human cell lines in culture, using techniques such as silencing by siRNA and thermal shift assays for screening inhibitors in vitro.

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

MORAES, Eduardo Cruz. Compound selection as candidates dor inhibition of kinase activity of human Neks. 2012. Master's Dissertation - Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Biologia Campinas, SP.