Identification of human colorectal cancer proteins

Scientists have identified a number of proteins that are differently expressed in the presence of human colorectal cancer.

Published in the BMC Cancer journal, the team from Spain noted that the universal hallmark of cancer cells is a change in their glycosylation phenotype, with the enhancement of alpha(1,6) linked fucose residues of glycoproteins the most commonly seen pattern.

In the study, the team used LCA-affinity chromatography with SDS-PAGE and mass spectrometry to identify the proteins that are differently expressed in colorectal cancer.

The scientists found that there was an increased expression of GRP94 in colorectal cancer tissue and a significant drop in IgGFcBP expression in tumour cells.

All the results "validate the importance of core-fucosylated proteins profile analysis to understand the mechanisms which promote cancer onset and progression", the team explained in the report.

It is hoped that by identifying these proteins, scientists could potentially find new biomarkers or therapeutic targets.

Posted by Neil Clark