S K Jain
Jamia Hamdard, India
Title: Implication of cancer proteomics in development of biomarkers for early detection of HCC
Biography
Biography: S K Jain
Abstract
Post-HGP era opened new vistas for understanding gene expression and initiated several specialized ‘omics’. Proteomics is analysis of total cellular proteins under different physiological and pathological conditions and is useful for discovery of novel biomarker(s) for diagnosis, and monitoring of progression of cancers by direct analysis of serum proteins. Hepatocellular carcinomas highly prevalent and leads to high morbidity and mortality. Presently serum α-fetoprotein levels form standard diagnosis of HCC, which is relatively low in sensitivity and specificity. In our efforts to develop biomarkers for early detection of HCC, a novel animal model to study ¬ chemically induced liver cancer was developed. The serum protein profiles at various stages of disease progression have been analyzed by 2D electrophoresis. Number of differentially expressed proteins have been detected, some of which bear correlation with disease progression. Histopathology and marker enzyme analyses confirmed and monitored tumor formation and disease progression. The proteins of interest have been characterized by MALDI-TOF and LC-MS/MS. We report the analysis of one of these proteins whose levels are elevated during very early stage of cancer initiation and remain elevated thereafter. The cloning and high level expression of this protein has been achieved. The sequencing of its gene revealed that specific point mutations take place in this protein during tumorogenesis and mutated protein shows immunogenicity. The diseased animals have circulating antibodies against. These findings are important in understanding the molecular mechanism of HCC development. Sera of clinically confirmed HCC patients have elevated levels of this protein that supports its potential as probable biomarker for diagnosis of HCC. The implications of these studies will be discussed.