PIKI-1, a class II PI 3-kinase, functions in endocytic trafficking.

ABSTRACT: Cellular membrane trafficking, including endocytosis and exocytosis, is a complex process coordinated by trafficking-associated proteins, cargo molecules, the cytoskeleton, and membrane lipids. The NIMA-related kinases NEKL-2 (human NEK8/9) and NEKL-3 (human NEK6/7) are conserved regulators of membrane trafficking in Caenorhabditis elegans that are required for the completion of molting. Using a genetic approach, we isolated reduction-of-function mutations in piki-1 that suppress nekl-associated molting defects. piki-1 encodes the sole predicted C. elegans Class II PI 3-kinase (PI3K), a relatively understudied class of lipid modifiers that contribute to the production of PI 3-phosphate (PI(3)P) and PI 3,4-bisphosphate (PI(3,4)P2). Using genetically encoded lipid sensors, we found that PIKI

SUBMITTER: Reimann GR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12919929 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature