Original Article
Copyright ©2010 Baishideng. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jun 14, 2010; 16(22): 2754-2763
Published online Jun 14, 2010. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v16.i22.2754
Hydrophobic protein in colorectal cancer in relation to tumor stages and grades
Lay-Chin Yeoh, Chee-Keat Loh, Boon-Hui Gooi, Manjit Singh, Lay-Harn Gam
Lay-Chin Yeoh, Chee-Keat Loh, Lay-Harn Gam, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, USM 11800, Penang, Malaysia
Boon-Hui Gooi, Manjit Singh, Department of Surgery, Penang General Hospital, Jalan Residensi, Penang, 10990, Malaysia
Author contributions: Gam LH contributed to the conception and design of the study and edited the manuscript; Yeoh LC carried out experimental work and writing of the manuscript; Loh CK carried out experimental work; Gooi BH and Singh M provided the colorectal cancer specimens and patient information.
Supported by RU Grant, No.1001/PFARMASI/815007 and Universiti Sains Malaysia
Correspondence to: Dr. Lay-Harn Gam, Associate Professor, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, USM 11800, Penang, Malaysia. layharn@usm.my
Telephone: +604-6533888 Fax: +604-6570017
Received: October 29, 2009
Revised: December 2, 2009
Accepted: December 9, 2009
Published online: June 14, 2010
Abstract

AIM: To identify differentially expressed hydrophobic proteins in colorectal cancer.

METHODS: Eighteen pairs of colorectal cancerous tissues in addition to tissues from normal mucosa were analysed. Hydrophobic proteins were extracted from the tissues, separated using 2-D gel electrophoresis and analysed using Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Statistical analysis of the proteins was carried out in order to determine the significance of each protein to colorectal cancer (CRC) and also their relation to CRC stages, grades and patients’ gender.

RESULTS: Thirteen differentially expressed proteins which were expressed abundantly in either cancerous or normal tissues were identified. A number of these proteins were found to relate strongly with a particular stage or grade of CRC. In addition, the association of these proteins with patient gender also appeared to be significant.

CONCLUSION: Stomatin-like protein 2 was found to be a promising biomarker for CRC, especially in female patients. The differentially expressed proteins identified were associated with CRC and may act as drug target candidates.

Keywords: Biomarker; Colorectal cancer; Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry; Proteomic approach; 2D-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis