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).