Phosphorylates serines and threonines, but also appears to possess tyrosine kinase activity . Involved in DNA damage checkpoint control and for proper DNA damage repair . In response to injury that includes DNA damage, NEK1 phosphorylates VDAC1 to limit mitochondrial cell death . May be implicated in the control of meiosis (By similarity). Involved in cilium assembly .
Subcellular locations: Nucleus, Cytoplasm, Cytoskeleton, Microtubule organizing center, Centrosome, Cytoplasm
Associated with the pericentriolar material . Localizes to centrosome during interphase and mitosis (By similarity). Translocated from cytoplasm to discrete nuclear foci at sites of DNA damage .
High fetal expression in the brain and kidney.