The NEK11 (NIMA-related kinase 11) antibody is a tool used to study the NEK11 protein, a member of the NIMA-related kinase family involved in cell cycle regulation, DNA damage response, and checkpoint control. NEK11 plays a critical role in the G2/M phase transition, particularly in response to replication stress, by interacting with key regulators like ATR, CHK1. and WEE1. It contributes to maintaining genomic stability through phosphorylation events that delay cell cycle progression, allowing time for DNA repair. NEK11 exists in two major splice variants (NEK11L and NEK11S) with distinct regulatory roles.
Research using NEK11 antibodies has linked its dysregulation to cancer progression, including breast, colorectal, and lung cancers, where overexpression often correlates with poor prognosis. The antibody is essential for detecting NEK11 expression levels, phosphorylation status (e.g., at Ser273/275), and subcellular localization in experimental models. It is widely applied in techniques like Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry to explore NEK11’s functional mechanisms or therapeutic potential.
Despite its established roles, NEK11’s full biological significance remains under investigation, with some studies highlighting context-dependent interactions and conflicting data on its pro- or anti-tumor effects. The antibody’s specificity and validation across species (human, mouse, rat) are critical for reliable research outcomes.