AT Hook Transcription Factor (AKNA)

Sequence analysis predicted that the 633-amino acid protein contains an AT-hook motif (RTRGRPADS) and 3 PEST regions. Northern blot analysis detected a 4.0-kb transcript predominantly in lymphoid tissue, with highest expression in spleen, lymph nodes, and peripheral blood leukocytes, lower expression in thymus, and undetectable expression in fetal liver and adult bone marrow. In addition, AKNA was expressed by B and T lymphocytes, natural killer cells, and CD1A-positive/CD14-negative dendritic cells. Immunofluorescence microscopy demonstrated a nuclear localization in a B lymphoma transfected with AKNA-GFP. Immunohistochemical analysis showed expression of AKNA predominantly in germinal centers of secondary lymphoid organs.