Human akna encodes an AT-hook transcription factor whose expression participates in various cellular processes. We conducted a scoping review on the literature regarding the functional role of AKNA according to the evidence found in human and in vivo and in vitro models, stringently following the “PRISMA-ScR” statement recommendations. Methods: We undertook an independent PubMed literature search using the following search terms, AKNA OR AKNA ADJ gene OR AKNA protein, human OR AKNA ADJ functions. Observational and experimental articles were considered. The selected studies were categorized using a pre-determined data extraction form. A narrative summary of the evidence was produced. Results: AKNA modulates the expression of CD40 and CD40L genes in immune system cells. It is a negative regulator of inflammatory processes as evidenced by knockout mouse models and observational studies for several autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Furthermore, AKNA contributes to the de-regulation of the immune system in cancer, and it has been proposed as a susceptibility genetic factor and biomarker in CC, GC, and HNSCC. Finally, AKNA regulates neurogenesis by destabilizing the microtubules dynamics. Conclusion: Our results provide evidence for the role of AKNA in various cellular processes, including immune response, inflammation, development, cancer, autoimmunity, and neurogenesis.

Persistent infection with high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HR-HPV) is the main requisite for cervical cancer development. Normally, HPV is limited to the site of infection and regulates a plethora of cellular elements to avoid the immune surveillance by inducing an anti-inflammatory state, allowing the progress through the viral cycle and the carcinogenic process. Recent findings suggest that the AT-hook transcriptional factor AKNA could play a role in the development of cervical cancer. AKNA is strongly related to the expression of co-stimulatory molecules such CD40/CD40L to achieve an anti-tumoral immune response. To date, there is no evidence demonstrating the effect of the HPV E6 oncoprotein on the AT-hook factor AKNA. In this work, minimal expression of AKNA in cervical carcinoma compared to normal tissue was found. We show the ability of E6 from high-risk HPVs 16 and 18 to interact with and down-regulate AKNA as well as its co-stimulatory molecule CD40 in a proteasome dependent manner. We also found that p53 interacts with AKNA and promotes AKNA expression. Our results indicate that the de-regulation of CD40 and AKNA is induced by the HPV E6 oncoprotein, and this event involves the action of p53 suggesting that the axis E6/p53A/AKNA might play an important role in the de-regulation of the immune system during the carcinogenic process induced by HR-HPV.

The human akna gene encodes an AT-hook transcription factor, the expression of which is involved in various cellular processes. The goal of this study was to identify potential AKNA binding sites in genes that participate in T-cell activation and validate selected genes. Here we analyzed ChIP-seq and microarray assays to determine AKNA-binding motifs and the cellular process altered by AKNA in T-cell lymphocytes. In addition, we performed a validation analysis by RT-qPCR to assess AKNA’s role in promoting IL-2 and CD80 expression. We found five AT-rich motifs that are potential candidates as AKNA response elements. We identified these AT-rich motifs in promoter regions of more than a thousand genes in activated T-cells, and demonstrated that AKNA induces the expression of genes involved in helper T-cell activation, such as IL-2. The genomic enrichment and prediction of AT-rich motif analyses demonstrated that AKNA is a transcription factor that can potentially modulate gene expression by recognizing AT-rich motifs in a plethora of genes that are involved in different molecular pathways and processes. Among the cellular processes activated by AT-rich genes, we found inflammatory pathways potentially regulated by AKNA, suggesting AKNA is acting as a master regulator during T-cell activation.