Colorectal Cancer
Copyright ©2006 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Aug 21, 2006; 12(31): 4973-4980
Published online Aug 21, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i31.4973
Analysis of differentially expressed proteins in cancerous and normal colonic tissues
Lay-Harn Gam, Chiuan-Herng Leow, Che Nin Man, Boon-Hui Gooi, Manjit Singh
Lay-Harn Gam, Chiuan-Herng Leow, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Penang, Malaysia
Che Nin Man, National Poison Centre, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM, Penang, Malaysia
Boon-Hui Gooi, Manjit Singh, Department of Surgery, Penang General Hospital, Penang, Malaysia
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to the work.
Supported by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation Malaysia (06-02-05-3197EA12)
Correspondence to: Dr. Lay-Harn Gam, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM. Penang, Malaysia. layharn@usm.my
Telephone: +60-4-6533888-2208 Fax: +60-4-6570017
Received: January 23, 2006
Revised: February 13, 2006
Accepted: February 18, 2006
Published online: August 21, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To identify and analyze the differentially expressed proteins in normal and cancerous tissues of four patients suffering from colon cancer.

METHODS: Colon tissues (normal and cancerous) were homogenized and the proteins were extracted using three protein extraction buffers. The extraction buffers were used in an orderly sequence of increasing extraction strength for proteins with hydrophobic properties. The protein extracts were separated using the SDS-PAGE method and the images were captured and analyzed using Quantity One software. The target protein bands were subjected to in-gel digestion with trypsin and finally analyzed using an ESI-ion trap mass spectrometer.

RESULTS: A total of 50 differentially expressed proteins in colonic cancerous and normal tissues were identified.

CONCLUSION: Many of the identified proteins have been reported to be involved in the progression of similar or other types of cancers. However, some of the identified proteins have not been reported before. In addition, a number of hypothetical proteins were also identified.

Keywords: Colon cancer; Tissue specimens; Sequential protein extraction; Proteomics