Defining a molecularly normal colon

J Histochem Cytochem. 2001 May;49(5):667-8. doi: 10.1177/002215540104900516.

Abstract

As techniques evolve that allow molecular characterization of disease processes such as cancer, definition of "normal" at a molecular level becomes increasingly important. Increasingly large numbers of mutations are found at the genomic level, but whether all of those mutations contribute to the malignant state of a carcinoma cell is not clear. Without knowledge of what constitutes normality on the proteomic level in an organ or cell, we cannot determine what genomic changes are physiologically important. Traditionally, colon cancer is identified and classified by histological criteria. Margins of the colon are defined as "grossly uninvolved" when the histology is indistinguishable from that of normal (free from disease) colon. By using molecular pathology techniques and working backward from colon adenocarcinoma to hypoplastic polyps to presumably normal mucosa, we defined some of those protein differences. Our results may provide a molecular basis for identifying tumor formation and progression in situ.(J Histochem Cytochem 49:667-668, 2001)

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / metabolism*
  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate / metabolism
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / classification
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Colon / metabolism*
  • Colonic Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Colonic Polyps / metabolism*
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism
  • DNA Topoisomerases, Type II* / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Gastric Mucins / metabolism
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism
  • Isoenzymes / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Mucin-1 / metabolism
  • Phosphoproteins / metabolism
  • Pilot Projects
  • Trans-Activators*
  • Zonula Occludens-1 Protein
  • alpha Catenin
  • beta Catenin

Substances

  • Antigens, Neoplasm
  • Antigens, Tumor-Associated, Carbohydrate
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • CA 242 antigen
  • CTNNA1 protein, human
  • CTNNB1 protein, human
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Gastric Mucins
  • HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Isoenzymes
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Mucin-1
  • Phosphoproteins
  • TJP1 protein, human
  • Trans-Activators
  • Zonula Occludens-1 Protein
  • alpha Catenin
  • beta Catenin
  • DNA Topoisomerases, Type II