369: NEK2 drives EBV-positive NHL pathogenesis

White MC et al., PNAS - This episode reviews a PNAS study showing that the kinase NEK2 is upregulated by EBV and its latency proteins and that NEK2 inhibition with the irreversible inhibitor JH295 selectively kills EBV-positive non-Hodgkin lymphoma cells, lowers drug resistance, and reduces tumor burden in mouse models. Key terms: NEK2, EBV, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, LMP1, drug resistance. Study Highlights:EBV infection and the latency proteins EBNA1, LMP1, and EBNA2 increase NEK2 expression in human B cells and patient tumors. Genetic depletion or pharmacologic inhibition of NEK2 with JH295 selectively kills EBV-positive NHL cells and induces inflammatory, ROS-associated cell death with gasdermin D cleavage. NEK2 inhibition reduces LMP1 and c-myc expression, decreases ABC transporter expression and MRP1-mediated drug efflux, and sensitizes cells to doxorubicin. In xenograft and cord blood-humanized mouse models JH295 lowered tumor burden, reduced tumor incidence, and prolonged survival without observable toxicity. Conclusion:NEK2 is a promising therapeutic target in EBV-positive non-Hodgkin lymphoma; NEK2 inhibition by JH295 both kills malignant cells and reduces drug resistance and viral oncoprotein expression in preclinical models. Music:Enjoy the music based on this article at the end of the episode. Article title:NEK2 drives pathogenesis, drug resistance, and LMP1 expression in EBV-positive non-Hodgkin lymphoma First author:White MC Journal:PNAS DOI:10.1073/pnas.2535550123 Reference:White MC, Lange PT, Stewart J, Damania B. NEK2 drives pathogenesis, drug resistance, and LMP1 expression in EBV-positive non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2026;123:e2535550123. doi:10.1073/pnas.2535550123 License:This episode is based on an open-access article published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0) – https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Support:Base by Base – Stripe donations: https://donate.stripe.com/7sY4gz71B2sN3RWac5gEg00 Official website https://basebybase.com On PaperCast Base by Base you'll discover the latest in genomics, functional genomics, structural genomics, and proteomics. Episode link: https://basebybase.com/episodes/nek2-drives-ebv-positive-nhl QC:This episode was checked against the original article PDF and publication metadata for the episode release published on 2026-05-16. QC Scope:- article metadata and core scientific claims from the narration- excludes analogies, intro/outro, and music- transcript coverage: Audited transcript passages on EBV-induced NEK2 upregulation, NEK2 inhibition mechanisms (ROS, gasdermin D), downstream effects (LMP1, c-Myc, beta-catenin, Bcl-2 family), MRP1/ABC transporters and drug resistance, and in vivo xenograft and cord blood–humanized mouse results.- transcript topics: EBV-induced NEK2 upregulation in primary B cells; EBV latency proteins EBNA1, LMP1, EBNA2 drive NEK2 expression; JH295 NEK2 inhibitor and EBV+ NHL selectivity; Inflammatory cell death: ROS accumulation and gasdermin D cleavage; Downregulation of LMP1, c-Myc, beta-catenin; Bcl-2 family modulation; MRP1/MDR transporters and drug resistance reversal QC Summary:- factual score: 10/10- metadata score: 10/10- supported core claims: 7- claims flagged for review: 0- metadata checks passed: 4- metadata issues found: 0 Metadata Audited:- article_doi- article_title- article_journal- license Factual Items Audited:- EBV latency proteins EBNA1, LMP1, EBNA2 independently drive NEK2 upregulation- Primary EBV infection increases NEK2 expression in human B cells- NEK2 inhibition with JH295 induces inflammatory, ROS-associated cell death with gasdermin D cleavage in EBV-positi...