Nek7 is a multifunctional kinase that acts on different biological processes and in concert with the cell division signaling

Author(s)

Edmarcia Elisa Souza

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Campinas, SP.
• Institution: Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Instituto de Biologia
• Defense date: 2014-08-20

Examining board members

Jörg Kobarg; Celso Eduardo Benedetti; Adriana Franco Paes Leme; Glaucia Maria Machado Santelli; Marcio Chaim Bajgelman

• Advisor: Jörg Kobarg

Abstract

The Neks (NIMA-related kinases) proteins represent a human kinases family named Nek1 to 11 that share 40 to 45% of sequence identity with the established NIMA mitotic regulator, identified in Aspergillus nidulans. The synergism of the mechanisms that drive mitosis is essential for proper cell division and its dysregulation is correlated with the occurrence of human cancers. The Neks are essential for cell cycle progression and therefore have received attention as targets for cancer therapy and other diseases. Human Nek7 contributes to mitotic spindle formation and centrosome biogenesis. Herein, we reveal Nek7 as a multifunctional kinase. Our proteomic studies have demonstrated a broad spectrum of interaction proteins of human Nek7 classified into multiple functional categories, especially, cell division. Some new interaction partners are also potential Nek7 substrates and localize in key structure during mitosis and cytokinesis. We also evidenced that, through different mechanisms, the N- and C- terminal domains of Nek7 and Nek6 can differentially contribute to the regulation and catalysis and provide the basis for a functional independence of Nek6 and Nek7 in cell signaling. Furthermore, using studies based in confocal microscopy and RNAi we showed the Nek7 interactor, RGS2 protein, is required for organization and orientation of the mitotic spindle. Metaphase cells RGS2-depleted showed phenotypes such as: arrest in mitosis; defects in tension kinetochores and alignment chromosomes; disruption of the mitotic spindle; disturbance in the proteins redistribution of the spindle pole involved in nucleation and microtubule dynamics; mitotic spindle misorientation; and astral microtubules reduction. Furthermore, the suppression or both overexpression of Nek7 wild type or kinase dead impaired the recruitment of ?-tubulin to the spindle pole. These findings introduce the involvement of RGS2 in mitosis and indicate that it may act cooperatively with Nek7 for proper mitotic spindle organization and formation. Finally, employing systems biology, we showed a comprehensive Neks interactome, highlighting for a possible crosstalking of all family members in centrioles and mitosis regulation; ciliary and ciliopathies function; and response to DNA damage (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/11912-5 - Expression of the human protein kinase Nek7 for structural and functional studies
• Grantee: Edmarcia Elisa de Souza
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate