Differential expression of up-regulated cofilin-1 and down-regulated cofilin-2 characteristic of pancreatic cancer tissues

Oncol Rep. 2011 Dec;26(6):1595-9. doi: 10.3892/or.2011.1447. Epub 2011 Sep 5.

Abstract

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is one of the most deadly malignant tumors. The aim of this study was to identify potential biomarkers for PC. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, the proteomic profiles of pancreatic cancerous and non-cancerous tissues from ten patients with PC were compared. One of the numerous spots that showed stronger intensity in cancerous compared to non-cancerous tissues was identified as non-muscle cofilin (cofilin-1). This up-regulation was validated by Western blot analysis. It is noteworthy that Western blot analysis showed significantly lower expression of muscle cofilin (cofilin-2) in pancreatic cancerous tissues compared to non-cancerous tissues. This is the first time that cofilin isoforms (cofilin-1/2) have been identified to be differentially expressed in pancreatic cancerous tissues. Therefore, cofilin isoforms may serve as candidates for clinically useful biomarkers or therapeutic targets for PC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / chemistry
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Cofilin 1 / chemistry
  • Cofilin 1 / genetics
  • Cofilin 1 / metabolism*
  • Cofilin 2 / genetics
  • Cofilin 2 / metabolism*
  • Down-Regulation
  • Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional
  • Gene Expression*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Protein Isoforms / genetics
  • Protein Isoforms / metabolism
  • Tandem Mass Spectrometry
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • CFL1 protein, human
  • CFL2 protein, human
  • Cofilin 1
  • Cofilin 2
  • Protein Isoforms