biostudies-literatureCullati SNDartmouth CollegeNCI NIH HHSNational Institutes of HealthNIGMS NIH HHSNIH HHS2339-2354https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC5551695biostudies-literatureUnknown216(8)In mitosis, cells undergo a precisely orchestrated series of spatiotemporal changes in cytoskeletal structure to divide their genetic material. These changes are coordinated by a sophisticated network of protein-protein interactions and posttranslational modifications. In this study, we report a bifurcation in a signaling cascade of the NIMA-related kinases (Neks) Nek6, Nek7, and Nek9 that is required for the localization and function of two kinesins essential for cytokinesis, Mklp2 and Kif14. We demonstrate that a Nek9, Nek6, and Mklp2 signaling module controls the timely localization and bundling activity of Mklp2 at the anaphase central spindle. We further show that a separate Nek9, Nek7, and Kif14 signaling module is required for the recruitment of the Rho-interacting kinase citron to The Journal of cell biologyA bifurcated signaling cascade of NIMA-related kinases controls distinct kinesins in anaphase.PMC5551695R01-CA155260P20 GM103413T32-GM008704P20 GM113132S10-OD016212R35-GM119455R35 GM119455S10 OD016212T32 GM008704R01 CA155260P20-GM103413Gerber SAKettenbach ANKabeche LCullati SNfalseA bifurcated signaling cascade of NIMA-related kinases controls distinct kinesins in anaphase.In mitosis, cells undergo a precisely orchestrated series of spatiotemporal changes in cytoskeletal structure to divide their genetic material. These changes are coordinated by a sophisticated network of protein-protein interactions and posttranslational modifications. In this study, we report a bifurcation in a signaling cascade of the NIMA-related kinases (Neks) Nek6, Nek7, and Nek9 that is required for the localization and function of two kinesins essential for cytokinesis, Mklp2 and Kif14. We demonstrate that a Nek9, Nek6, and Mklp2 signaling module controls the timely localization and bundling activity of Mklp2 at the anaphase central spindle. We further show that a separate Nek9, Nek7, and Kif14 signaling module is required for the recruitment of the Rho-interacting kinase citron to 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z2017 Aug2025-04-04T22:50:20.925Z2019-10-30T08:12:46ZS-EPMC55516952863014710.1083/jcb.201512055