1-2). Based on previous research that found that Akirin proteins were ubiquitous in flies and humans and strictly nuclear, Tufet sought to determine if the Akirin homologues had a similar function in mice. While the experiment using Akirin-1 failed to produce any meaningful results, the tests using Akirin-2 showed that it acts in tandem with or downstream of NF-B in the regulation of TLR- and IL-1-inducible gene expression (Tufet). This author concludes, "This study has identified a previously unknown nuclear factor that, together with or downstream of NF-B, can regulate innate immune responses. Further studies will be needed to determine precisely how Akirin proteins control gene expression" (Tufet, p. 3). The strengths of this summary were two-fold: (a) the author provides an understandable overview and background of the investigation and its rationale, and (b) the timeliness of the study results makes it a valuable addition to the existing body of knowledge. The weaknesses of this summary, though, were also two-fold: (a) there was a paucity of peer-reviewed and scholarly sources cited by the author (just two) and there was no peer refereeing of her findings indicated (which is also understandable and perhaps forgivable based on the same reasons cited in the overview above); and, (b) there were no graphics used to help illustrate the underlying mechanisms involved.

Summary of Findings

The research...

Knockdown and knockout experiments have provided exciting findings for immunological research and the research is proceeding at an exponential pace. It is reasonable to conclude that the identification of the Akirin proteins will further accelerate this research and this may well be the last generation to die a natural death or suffer the ravages of cancers of all types and HIV / AIDS because of the studies involving the transcription factor NF-?B and Akirins 2.