Objective: To analyze the protein expression profiles of multinodular hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with multicentric occurrence (MO) or with intrahepatic metastasis (IM).
Methods: 5 IM and 6 MO patients were divided into groups of IM1, IM2, MO1 and MO2 according to the size of node of HCC. Two dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and mass spectrum were used to analyze the protein expression profiles. Western blot was used to confirm the results obtained by mass spectrum.
Results: 2-DE of IM1, IM2, MO1 and MO2 indicated that 30 protein dots were differentially expressed in these tumors. By mass spectrum, 25 proteins were identified. Gene ontology classification indicated that these proteins are associated to cell movement, signal transduction, oxidoreduction, lipid metabolism, and amino acid metabolism.
Conclusion: The protein expression profiles of IM is different from that of MO, 2-DE and mass spectrum can be used to identify the molecular markers of IM and MO of HCC.