Nek8 mutation causes overexpression of galectin-1, sorcin, and vimentin and accumulation of the major urinary protein in renal cysts of jck mice.

The jck murine model, which results from a double point mutation in the nek8 gene, has been used to study the mechanism of autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD). The renal proteome of jck mice was characterized by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis combined with mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF). Four newly identified proteins were found to accumulate in the kidneys of jck mice with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) compared with their wild-type littermates.