Journal of Biotechnology & Biomaterials
Open Access

Abstract

The completion of human genome project resulted in opening of new vistas for understanding the gene expression. A number of specialized fields of studies, the ?omics? have been initiated. The proteomics is one of these branches that deals with the analysis of protein profile of a cell or tissue under different physiological condition. All the metabolic activities of cell are regulated directly or indirectly by proteins. The analysis of proteins, therefore, gives better insight into the metabolic status of cell than studying its genomics. This approach is now being used for discovering novel biomarker(s) that can be used to diagnose, predict the susceptibility and monitor progression of diseases. Direct analysis of serum or other biological fluids is one of the most convenient strategies for the search of protein biomarkers. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an international problem. It is the third most prevalent cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide (WHO-2008). The current standard diagnosis of HCC is based on the detection of serum α-fetoprotein (AFP) level. However, AFP has relatively low sensitivity (64.8% - 78%) and low specificity (50% - 93%). More reliable and accurate biomarkers are urgently needed to overcome the shortcoming of the current tools for HCC diagnosis. We report the development of an animal model for study of HCC by modifying the Solt ?Farber protocol. The protein profiles of serum have been analysed by 1D SDS PAGE and 2D electrophoresis. Few specific changes in proteins profiles have been detected that bear correlation with disease progression. Marker enzymes have also been monitored to decipher the disease condition. Histopathology of liver tissue was performed to confirm liver damage. Differentially expressed proteins and the novel proteins that are expressed during tumor progression have been characterized by MALDI-TOF and LC- MS/MS techniques. The expressions of genes for the proteins of interest are in progress in our laboratory. Further, patient sera from clinically confirmed cases have been used to validate these markers. Our results suggest that some of these proteins have showing potential for the development of biomarker(s) for early detection of HCC.

Biography