Akirin 1 (AKIRIN1)

Akirin1 is a downstream target gene of myostatin and has been shown to be a promyogenic factor. Akirin1 is negatively regulated by myostatin specifically in skeletal muscle tissue. Akirin1 could be associated with satellite cell activation. In addition to SC, macrophages also express akirin1, and increased expression of akirin1 resulted in more efficient chemotaxis of both macrophages and myoblasts. Akirin1 appears to regulate chemotaxis of both macrophages and myoblasts by reorganising actin cytoskeleton, leading to more efficient lamellipodia formation via a PI3 kinase dependent pathway. Akirin1 expression is detected very early in regenerating muscle, and expression gradually peaks to coincide the nascent myotube formation stage of muscle regeneration. Akirin1 could be acting as a transducer of early signals of muscle regeneration.