Technical Articles

This article systematically elaborates on the molecular characteristics and immune functions of NIMA-related kinase 7 (NEK7), focusing on the discovery process and validation evidence establishing it as a key regulatory factor in NLRP3 inflammasome assembly and activation. It analyzes the protein domain basis of the NEK7–NLRP3 interaction and its kinase activity-independent binding properties, and explores the selective blocking effect of NEK7 deficiency on NLRP3-specific inflammatory responses as well as the regulatory mechanism of extracellular potassium ion concentration on this interaction.