Fig. 8: Predicted model of the NEK2–PD-L1 signaling pathway in pancreatic cancer.
From: NEK2 inhibition triggers anti-pancreatic cancer immunity by targeting PD-L1
A schematic model is proposed to illustrate how PD-L1 protein stability is regulated by NEK2 in pancreatic cancer. NEK2 positively regulates and interacts with PD-L1 largely through PD-L1 phosphorylation at the T194/T210 residue in ER of pancreatic cancer. Therefore, treatment with NEK2 inhibitor unexpectedly suppressed PD-L1 protein expression, largely by inhibition of PD-L1 phosphorylation that promotes its degradation.
