Vanderbilt led research team identifies the "signature" protein that colorectal cancer lead
A Vanderbilt University-led research team has identified "signatures" protein gene mutations that cause colorectal cancer, the second leading cause of cancer death after the nation's lung cancer.
technological feat, described in the current issue of the journal Nature as the first integrated characterization "proteogenomic" human cancer, "will allow further progress" in the diagnosis and treatment of the disease, the scientists concluded.
"is the first of its kind paper. I think it is a very important progress in the field, "said lead author Daniel Liebler, Ph.D., professor Ingram of research and director of the Jim Ayers Institute for precancerous lesions detection and diagnosis at Vanderbilt Center -Ingram Cancer Cancer.
The research team, representing Vanderbilt and six other institutions, is part of the clinical proteomics tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC), sponsored by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Proteomics is the study of proteins. While many genetic mutations associated with cancer have been identified, it has been more difficult to analyze the structure and function of proteins that actually make cancer "work." Until now.
The researchers used advanced mass spectrometry techniques to gather proteomic data on 95 samples of human colorectal tumors characterized previously by the Cancer Genome Atlas, a project funded by the federal government to identify genetic abnormalities in cancer.
The data analysis was conducted by the first author Bing Zhang, Ph.D., associate professor of biomedical informatics. "Integrating proteomic data with the vast amount of genomics pre-existing data is a daunting task," said Zhang, "however, it is also the key to transform data into new information."
There is a biological principle that DNA - the genetic code -. is "transcribed" into messenger RNA, then "translated" into proteins Yet the researchers found that abnormalities in genes or even samples of RNA has not necessarily "translate" into abnormal proteins.
Similarly, sections of chromosomes that have been "amplified" in tumor samples did not result in amplified or increased protein levels.
Those who have, however, produced "dramatic effects", suggesting that proteomics could help identify and prioritize the most genetic anomalies "impactful" that could be targets for new diagnostic tests or treatment drugs, Liebler said .
The researchers also identified five subtypes of colon cancer according to their protein content, one of which was associated with poor results. Proteomics can therefore help identify patients who would benefit most from chemotherapy after surgery.
"Our discovery of subtypes proteomic opens the door to diagnoses based on proteins that could identify poor cancer who require aggressive treatment," Liebler said. "That's what we're really hot on the future."
Liebler said that the support of the Ayers Institute, established in 05 with a gift of $ 10 million Jim Ayers, chairman of FirstBank in Lexington, Tenn., And his wife Janet Ayers, was essential for the construction of infrastructure necessary to conduct the research.
"Without the Ayers Institute, we would not have been able to apply for even CPTAC program, to be part of it at all," said Liebler.
"It is great news that seems to have huge implications for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer," said Janet Ayers. "Jim and I extend our congratulations to Dr. Liebler and the team working with Jim Ayers Institute for precancerous lesions detection and diagnosis at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.
" These are the kinds of discoveries we expected when the institute was launched a few years ago, "she said." to begin to see results like this so quickly is extremely gratifying. "
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