Immunohistochemical analysis of S6K1 and S6K2 expression in human breast tumors.

Aim: To express recombinant S6K2 in baculovirus expression system; to purify large quantities of recombinant S6K2 for biochemical studies; to generate and characterise specific MABs against recombinant S6K2; to study the patterns S6K1 and S6K2 expression and subcellular localization in normal, benign and malignant breast tissues.

Methods: Recombinant baculovirus, expressing wild type S6K2 was generated using Bac-to-Bac system (Invitrogen); recombinant S6K was purified from infected Sf9 cells using affinity purification approach; monoclonal antibodies against recombinant S6K2 were generated; the specificity of generated MABs towards recombinant and endogenous S6K2 were examined by ELISA, Western blotting, immunoprecipitation and immuhohistochemical staining; immunohistochemical detection of S6K1 and S6K2 in human breast tissues was performed using specific monoclonal antibodies towards S6K1 and S6K2.

Results: Large amounts of enzymatically active S6K2 were purified using baculovirus expression system; highly purified preparations of S6K2 were used to generate and characterize anti-S6K2 MABs; elevated levels of S6K1 and S6K2 were found in breast tumors when compared to normal breast tissues; S6K2 is frequently localized in the nuclei of adenocarcinoma tissues, but rarely in fibroadenoma or "normal" breast tissues.

Subcellular localization and regulation of coenzyme A synthase.

CoA synthase mediates the last two steps in the sequence of enzymatic reactions, leading to CoA biosynthesis. We have recently identified cDNA for CoA synthase and demonstrated that it encodes a bifunctional enzyme possessing 4'-phosphopantetheine adenylyltransferase and dephospho-CoA kinase activities. Molecular cloning of CoA synthase provided us with necessary tools to study subcellular localization and the regulation of this bifunctional enzyme.