Phosphorylates serines and threonines, but also appears to possess tyrosine kinase activity (PubMed:20230784). Involved in DNA damage checkpoint control and for proper DNA damage repair (PubMed:20230784). In response to injury that includes DNA damage, NEK1 phosphorylates VDAC1 to limit mitochondrial cell death (PubMed:20230784). May be implicated in the control of meiosis (By similarity). Involved in cilium assembly (PubMed:21211617). ATP + L-seryl-[protein] = ADP + H(+) + O-phospho-L-seryl-[protein] ATP + L-threonyl-[protein] = ADP + H(+) + O-phospho-L-threonyl-[protein] Binds to CBY2 (By similarity). Found in a complex with CFAP410, NEK1 and SPATA7 (PubMed:26167768). Interacts with CFAP410 (PubMed:26167768). Interacts (via Ser-1052 phosphorylated form) with 14-3-3 proteins (By similarity). Associated with the pericentriolar material (PubMed:21211617). Localizes to centrosome during interphase and mitosis (By similarity). Translocated from cytoplasm to discrete nuclear foci at sites of DNA damage (PubMed:15604234). High fetal expression in the brain and kidney. The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. In some cases NEK1 mutations result in disease phenotype in the presence of mutations in DYNC2H1 indicating digenic inheritance (digenic short rib-polydactyly syndrome 3/6 with polydactyly) (PubMed:21211617). Disease susceptibility is associated with variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. Belongs to the protein kinase superfamily. NEK Ser/Thr protein kinase family. NIMA subfamily. Contaminating sequence. Potential poly-A sequence. Truncated N-terminus. Truncated N-terminus. Extended N-terminus.