Up-regulation of eukaryotic elongation factor-1 subunits in breast carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Wide evidence suggests the involvement of translation elongation factors (EFs) at the onset of oncogenesis. To investigate the potential role of the EF-1 subunits (A, Balpha and Bgamma) in the formation and progression of breast cancer, we quantified their expression in human breast tissues and cell lines.


METHODS
The mRNA levels of EF-1A, -1Balpha and -1Bgamma in human breast tissues and cell lines were measured by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Northern blotting, respectively.


RESULTS
The mRNA expression of the three EF-1 subunits was significantly higher in cancerous over normal tissues. However, there was no significant difference in their expression between tumor grades. Overexpression of EF-1 mRNA in breast cancer cell lines were not caused by increased mRNA stability.


CONCLUSIONS
Although not indicative of tumor grading, the elevated levels of EF-1 subunits are suggestive of their early role in the pathogenesis of breast cancer, possibly through their increased rate of transcription.
Al-Maghrebi
May
M
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University. malmaghrebi@hsc.edu.kw
Anim
Jeroham T
JT
Olalu
Aaron A
AA
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015977:Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D021122:Protein Subunits; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015854:Up-Regulation
D015977:Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-1; D021122:Protein Subunits; D012333:RNA, Messenger