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bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.09.11.751042

Auxin-inducible degron-mediated protein depletion in Diplonema papillatum

Clifford, G.·Akiyoshi, B.
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Abstract

Diplonemids are highly abundant unicellular flagellates that are evolutionarily divergent from traditional model eukaryotes. Diplonema papillatum is a model diplonemid for which several molecular tools have recently been established. However, no method for conditional protein depletion was available. Here, we have adapted an auxin-inducible degron (AID) system in D. papillatum. Depletion of the KIN-A motor protein (a glycomonad-specific component of the chromosomal passenger complex) causes defects in chromosome segregation and cell proliferation. The AID system also successfully depleted a divergent Mad1 protein that localizes at nuclear pores, and a flagellar component, CFAP20. Our study demonstrates the power of the AID system to perform loss-of-function studies in D. papillatum.

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Clifford, G., Akiyoshi, B.. 2026-09-14. Auxin-inducible degron-mediated protein depletion in Diplonema papillatum. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.09.11.751042

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