Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 15, 2025

Protein Extract Preparation and Co-immunoprecipitation from Caenorhabditis elegans
Published on: May 23, 2020
AKIR-1 regulates proteasome subcellular function in Caenorhabditis elegans
Johanna Pispa1, Elisa Mikkonen1, Leena Arpalahti1
1Department of Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, Medicum, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00290 Helsinki, Finland.
The gene AKIR-1 regulates proteasome localization in Caenorhabditis elegans, impacting nuclear protein degradation and proteostasis maintenance. Its depletion causes nuclear accumulation of polyubiquitinated proteins.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) degrades polyubiquitinated proteins.
- Proteasomes are found in both the cytoplasm and nucleus.
- Understanding proteasome subcellular localization and activity is crucial for cellular function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate mechanisms coordinating proteasome subcellular localization and activity in a multicellular organism.
- To identify novel regulators of proteasome function.
- To elucidate the role of AKIR-1 in proteostasis.
Main Methods:
- Genome-wide RNAi screen in Caenorhabditis elegans.
- Analysis of endogenous polyubiquitinated protein localization.
- Investigation of proteasome nuclear localization.
- Genetic interaction studies with importin ima-3.
Main Results:
- Identified AKIR-1 as a nuclear proteasome regulator.
- Depletion of AKIR-1 leads to nuclear accumulation of polyubiquitinated proteins in intestinal cells.
- AKIR-1 is essential for proteasome nuclear localization in oocytes and intestinal cells.
- AKIR-1 differentially affects polyubiquitinated protein distribution.
- Importin ima-3 genetically interacts with AKIR-1 and influences polyubiquitin-binding reporter localization.
Conclusions:
- The conserved AKIR-1 is a key regulator of proteasome subcellular function in multicellular organisms.
- AKIR-1 plays a significant role in maintaining proteostasis.
- AKIR-1 and importin ima-3 pathways are involved in regulating nuclear proteasome activity.
Related Concept Videos
Regulated Protein Degradation
Protein degradation plays two important roles in the cells. It helps to protect cells from misfolded or damaged proteins before they lead to a...
The Proteasome
In this pathway, the target proteins are first tagged with small proteins called ubiquitin. This involves participation of a series of enzymes including— E1 (ubiquitin-activating enzyme), E2 (ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme), and E3...
Regulation of the Unfolded Protein Response
The Unfolded Protein Response
Export of Misfolded Proteins out of the ER
Caspases

