Goto, A., Matsushita, K., Gesellchen, V., El Chamy, L., Kuttenkeuler, D., Takeuchi, O., Hoffmann, J.A., Akira, S., Boutros, M., Reichhart, J.M. (2008). Akirins are highly conserved nuclear proteins required for NF-kappaB-dependent gene expression in drosophila and mice.  Nat. Immunol. 9(1): 97--104.

FBrf0201495

Research paper

During a genome-wide screen with RNA-mediated interference, we isolated CG8580 as a gene involved in the innate immune response of Drosophila melanogaster. CG8580, which we called Akirin, encoded a protein that acted in parallel with the NF-kappaB transcription factor downstream of the Imd pathway and was required for defense against Gram-negative bacteria. Akirin is highly conserved, and the human genome contains two homologs, one of which was able to rescue the loss-of-function phenotype in drosophila cells. Akirins were strictly localized to the nucleus. Knockout of both Akirin homologs in mice showed that one had an essential function downstream of the Toll-like receptor, tumor necrosis factor and interleukin (IL)-1beta signaling pathways leading to the production of IL-6. Thus, Akirin is a conserved nuclear factor required for innate immune responses.

PMC2680477 (PMC) (EuropePMC)