is yet to be determined, but this study suggests that selenoK may play a vital role in the
survival of B. burgdorferi
***within the tick host.***
A qRT-PCR assay revealed the significant
***upregulation of selenogene K (selenoK) expression in B. burgdorferi-infected tick tissues.***
Silencing of the selenoK transcript significantly depleted B. burgdorferi copies
within the infected tick tissues.
Upon selenoK knockdown, another component of the ERAD complex, selenoprotein S (selenoS), was significantly upregulated, suggesting a compensatory mechanism to maintain ER homeostasis within the tick tissues. Knockdown of selenoK also
upregulated ER stress-related unfolded protein response (UPR) pathway components, ATF6 and EIF2.
Selenoprotein K (knockdown = less Bb) is a novel target of m-calpain, and cleavage is regulated by Toll-like receptor induced calpastatin in macrophages. J Biol Chem 286:34830–34838.
m-calpain is the type-protease for the C2 (calpain) family Wikipedia
Selenoprotein K *deficiency* inhibits melanoma by
reducing calcium flux required for tumor growth and metastasis.