Nek7-flox Mouse

NEK7, short for NIMA-related kinase 7, is a serine/threonine kinase and the smallest one in the mammalian NEK family. It plays a crucial role in regulating the cell cycle, especially in promoting the mitotic process of cells. More importantly, NEK7 is significantly involved in the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, which is a key mediator of the innate immune response. Genetic models, such as gene knockout mouse models, have been essential in studying NEK7's functions [1].

In gene knockout studies, mouse chimaeras reconstituted with Nek7(-/-) haematopoietic cells demonstrated that NEK7 is required for NLRP3 inflammasome activation in vivo. Without NEK7, caspase-1 activation and IL-1β release in response to NLRP3-activating signals were abolished [3]. In addition, NEK7 knockdown in vitro abolished ATP + LPS-induced pyroptosis and improved DSS-induced chronic colitis in vivo, suggesting its role in modulating pyroptosis in inflammatory bowel disease [2].

In conclusion, NEK7 has dual functions in regulating the cell cycle and activating the NLRP3 inflammasome. Studies using NEK7 KO mouse models have revealed its significance in inflammatory-related diseases like inflammatory bowel disease, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for NLRP3-related diseases [1,2,3].