NEK7

NEK7, a member of the NIMA-related kinase family, encodes a serine/threonine kinase primarily localized to the cytoplasm and centrosomes. It regulates mitotic progression by phosphorylating downstream targets involved in spindle assembly and cytokinesis, with established roles in cell cycle checkpoints.
NEK7 interacts with NLRP3 to modulate inflammasome activation, linking it to innate immune responses and inflammatory disorders like gout and rheumatoid arthritis. While no direct inhibitors are approved, preclinical studies target its kinase activity or NLRP3 binding to treat autoinflammatory diseases, highlighting its therapeutic potential.