Cooperative induction of transmembrane prostate androgen induced protein TMEPAI/PMEPA1 by transforming growth factor-β and epidermal growth factor signaling.

TMEPAI/PMEPA1 (transmembrane prostate androgen induced-RNA/prostate transmembrane protein, androgen induced 1) is a pro-tumorigenic factor induced by TGF-β signaling and constitutive TMEPAI expression in lung cancer cells depends on activated autocrine TGF-β signaling. Here we demonstrate a novel mechanism of TMEPAI transcriptional co-regulation by EGF signaling. Interestingly, we found that ELK-1, downstream of EGFR/Ras/MAPK pathway, modulates TMEPAI expression.

Microbial glucosylation of flavonols by Cunninghamella echinulata.

We report here that flavonol (3-hydroxyflavone) was O-glucosylated efficiently by filamentous fungus Cunninghamella echinulata. Kaemferol and some other flavonols were also glucosylated. The novel conversion is expected to be applicable to prepare glycosylated flavonoids which are commonly found in plants and mammalian metabolites of related compounds.