Figure 4.

Potential therapeutic interventions based on the EML4-ALK V3/NEK9/NEK7 pathway. A cartoon illustrating how NEK9 is recruited to the microtubule network by EML4-ALK V3 and further recruits NEK7 forming the EML4-ALK V3/NEK9/NEK7 complex. The complex promotes increased cytoplasmic protrusions and enhanced migration in cells and potentially accelerated metastasis in patients. The use of targeted agents against the catalytic activities of NEK9 or NEK7, or that prevent assembly or microtubule recruitment of the complex, could potentially reverse these phenotypes.