Phylogenetic analysis of the Neks reveals early diversification of ciliary-cell cycle kinases.

ABSTRACT:

Background

NIMA-related kinases (Neks) have been studied in diverse eukaryotes, including the fungus Aspergillus and the ciliate Tetrahymena. In the former, a single Nek plays an essential role in cell cycle regulation; in the latter, which has more than 30 Neks in its genome, multiple Neks regulate ciliary length. Mammalian genomes encode an intermediate number of Neks, several of which are reported to play roles in cell cycle regulation and/or localize to centrosomes. Previously, we reported that organisms with cilia typically have more Neks than organisms without cilia, but were unable to establish the evolutionary history of the gene family.

Methodology/principle findings

We have performed a large-scale analysis of the Nek family using Bayesian techniques, including test

SUBMITTER: Parker JD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2031824 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature