Human KIAA0090 (EMC1) is an evolutionarily conserved and ubiquitously expressed gene that maps to a chromosomal region (1p36.13) with frequent aberrations in several types of cancer. The RefSeq mRNA (isoform 1) of human EMC1 encodes a highly conserved protein of 993 amino acids whose yeast ortholog was recently proposed to function in unfolded protein response (UPR) and/or endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD). Deletion of the gene in yeast and C. elegans leads to slow growth (reduced fitness), and studies using genetic approaches or affinity capture in yeast, human and flies have revealed interactors of EMC1 involved in multiple pathways, including cell cycle, secretory pathway, UPR, ERAD, ion transport, cytoskeleton, transcription factors, cell signaling and mitochondrial electron transfer. Accumulated evidence on the requirement of UPR components for tumor growth and maintenance besides potential involvement of human EMC1 in cancer as suggested by global gene-expression analyses prompted us to investigate the role of this protein in breast cancer progression. Using antibodies raised, in our laboratory, against the N-terminal half of human EMC1, we showed staining mostly restricted to the basal layer of mammary epithelium in normal tissues, whereas in breast cancer tissues strong staining especially of what appears to be invasive cells and associated vasculature was observed. Additionally, using a tissue microarray with 96 samples of invasive primary breast tumor, we observed staining for EMC1 predominantly in zones of invasion and of variable levels of intensity, that we classified in weak, moderate and strong. Most cases (80/96, 83%) showed moderate to strong intensity, and strong expression was more frequent in tumors of grade II. Also, we observed a positive correlation of EMC1 with estrogen and progesterone receptor expression. Furthermore, we stably transfected SKBR-3 cells, which bear HER-2 gene amplification, with full length EMC1 cloned into the pcDNA3 vector, and protein overexpression was confirmed by immunostaining and qRT-PCR. SKBR-3 cells, which have a typical epithelial feature of cuboidal shape and grow grouped together with one another, underwent a noticeable morphological change after EMC1 overexpression, characterized by a more flattened, mesenchymal-like morphology and sparse distribution. Prominent filopodia, revealed by phalloidin labeling, was also observed after EMC1 exogenous expression. Additionally, EMC1 overexpression also enhanced motility and proliferation of SKBR-3 cells through ERK1/2 activation. Citation Format: Roberto Augusto Silva Molina, Rodrigo Ribeiro Silva, Josane Freitas Souza, Milene Mantovani Lopes, Daniel Guimaraes Tiezzi, Enilza Maria Espreafico. EMC1/KIAA0090 overexpression enhances proliferation and motility in breast cancer cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Invasion and Metastasis; Jan 20-23, 2013; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(3 Suppl):Abstract nr C6.

In the present study, we show that SARS-CoV-2 can infect palatine tonsils and adenoids in children without symptoms of COVID-19, with no history of recent upper airway infection. We studied 48 children undergoing tonsillectomy due to snoring/OSA or recurrent tonsillitis between October 2020 and September 2021. Briefly, nasal cytobrush (NC), nasal wash (NW) and tonsillar tissue fragments obtained at surgery were tested by RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry (IHC), flow cytometry and neutralization assay. We detected the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in at least one specimen tested in 25% of patients (20% in palatine tonsils and 16.27% in adenoids, 10.41% of NC and 6.25% of NW). Importantly, in 2 of the children there was evidence of laboratory-confirmed acute infection 2 and 5 months before surgery. IHC revealed the presence of SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein in epithelial surface and in lymphoid cells in both extrafollicular and follicular regions, in adenoids and palatine tonsils. Flow cytometry showed that CD20+B lymphocytes were the most infected phenotypes by SARS-CoV-2 NP, followed by CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes, and CD14+ macrophages and dendritic cells. Additionally, IF indicated that SARS-CoV-2-infected tonsillar tissues had increased expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2. NGS sequencing demonstrated the presence of different SARS CoV-2 variants in tonsils from different tissues. SARS-CoV-2 antigen detection was not restricted to tonsils, but was also detected in nasal cells from the olfactory region. In conclusion, palatine tonsils and adenoids are sites of prolonged infection by SARS-CoV-2 in children, even without COVID-19 symptoms.