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The breast tumor kinase (BRK) is a growth promoting non-receptor tyrosine kinase overexpressed in the majority of human breast tumors. BRK is known to potentiate the epidermal growth factor (EGF) response in these cells. Although BRK is known to phosphorylate the RNA-binding protein Sam68, the specific tyrosines phosphorylated and the exact role of this phosphorylation remains unknown. Herein, we have generated Sam68 phospho-specific antibodies against C-terminal phosphorylated tyrosine residues within the Sam68 nuclear localization signal. We show that BRK phosphorylates Sam68 on all three tyrosines in the nuclear localization signal. By indirect immunofluorescence we observed that BRK and EGF treatment not only phosphorylates Sam68 but also induces its relocalization. Tyrosine 440 was identified as a principal modulator of Sam68 localization and this site was phosphorylated in response to EGF treatment in human breast tumor cell lines. Moreover, this phosphorylation event was inhibited by BRK small interfering RNA treatment, consistent with Sam68 being a physiological substrate of BRK downstream of the EGF receptor in breast cancer cells. Finally, we observed that Sam68 suppressed BRK-induced cell proliferation, suggesting that Sam68 does indeed contain anti-proliferative properties that may be neutralized in breast cancer cells by phosphorylation.Sam68, initially identified as a c-Src-associated substrate during mitosis of 68 kDa (1, 2), has since been reported to be a substrate of other Src family tyrosine kinases as well as BReast tumor kinase (BRK) 5 (3) and ZAP70 (4). Sam68 is a prototype of STAR proteins, so named for their implication in signal transduction and activation of RNA metabolism (5). STAR proteins contain the GSG (GRP33, Sam68, and GLD-1) or STAR domain, an evolutionarily conserved protein module initially identified by aligning the first three members of this family (6). Although the precise role of Sam68 is unknown, its multifunctionality is revealed by the presence of polyproline sequences, an RNA-binding K homology module shared by all GSG/STAR proteins and multiple potential tyrosine phosphorylation sites (5). The proline-rich sequences mediate interaction with SH3 domains of signaling molecules (7) and the WW domain containing proteins (8). The K homology domain of Sam68 has been shown to bind homopolymeric RNA poly(U), poly(A) (2, 9, 10), and synthetic RNA sequences with a core UAAA (11). However, its in vivo RNA targets have just begun to be identified (12).Several reports have indicated that phosphorylation regulates key cellular roles of Sam68. Both tyrosine phosphorylation and SH3 binding severely hamper the RNA binding capability of Sam68 (13,14). Sam68 was found to interact and colocalize with the splicing-associated factor YT512-B, to synergize with the human immunodeficiency virus Rev protein, enhancing export of unspliced viral RNA, and to increase protein expression from RNA containing the constitutive transport element of some retroviruses (3,(15)(16)(17). On the other han...

BackgroundDespite a remarkable increase in the depth of our understanding and management of breast cancer in the past 50 years, the disease is still a major public health problem worldwide and poses significant challenges. The palpability of breast tumors has facilitated diagnosis and documentation since ancient times. The earliest descriptions of breast cancer date back to around 3500 BCE. For centuries to follow, theories by Hippocrates (460 BCE) and Galen (200 CE), attributing the cause of breast cancer to an “excess of black bile” and treatment options including the use of opium and castor oil, prevailed. Surgical resection was introduced in the 18th century. The advent of modern medicine led to the development of novel treatment options that include hormonal, targeted and chemo-therapies. There are still several therapeutic challenges including the treatment of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), and overcoming drug resistance.Scope of reviewThe increased incidence and awareness of breast cancer has led to significant changes in diagnosis and treatment in recent decades. But, mankind has come a long way. Herein, I have traced how our understanding of breast cancer has evolved from the early description of the disease around 460 BCE as “black bile-containing crab-like tumors” to the conventional as a heterogeneous disease with high degree of diversity between and within tumors, as well as among breast cancer patients. How is breast cancer treated today and how do risk factors, breast cancer subtype and drug resistance contribute to the therapeutic challenges at the turn of the 21st century?Major conclusionsBreast cancer remains a serious public health issue worldwide. However, appreciable growth in our understanding of breast cancer in the past century has led to remarkable progress in the early detection, treatment and prevention of the disease. The clinical focus is shifting more towards tailored therapy as more targets are characterized and novel highly innovative approaches are developed.General significanceTracing the history of breast cancer, highlights how increased awareness of the disease, and progress in research and development have enhance our understanding of the disease.

Sialidase (neuraminidase), encoded by the neu-1 gene in the major histocompatibility complex locus catalyzes the intralysosomal degradation of sialylated glycoconjugates. Inherited deficiency of sialidase results in sialidosis or galactosialidosis, both severe metabolic disorders associated with lysosomal storage of oligosaccharides and glycopeptides. Sialidase also plays an important role in cellular signaling and is specifically required for the production of cytokine interleukin-4 by activated T lymphocytes. In these cells, neu-1-encoded sialidase activity is increased on the cell surface, suggesting that a specific mechanism regulates sorting of this enzyme to the plasma membrane. We investigated that mechanism by first showing that sialidase contains the internalization signal found in lysosomal membrane proteins targeted to endosomes via clathrin-coated pits.