Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, 27 differentially expressed protein biomarkers for colorectal adenoma have been identified. The differential expression of two of these novel proteins, mimecan and thioredoxin domain-containing protein 5 (TXNDC5), were validated by Western-blot.

"This study found two novel proteins which have never been found to be associated with colorectal cancer. We clearly demonstrated that absence of mimecan and up-regulation of TXNDC5 were involved in the early development of colorectal cancer," said the article's first author Yinghong Wang. "Our further work showed that mimecan can inhibit cell growth and induce cell apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells implying a candidate role as a tumor suppressor gene for the mimecan gene. These results suggested that mimecan might serve as a potential biomarker for future gene therapy."

The identification of these biomarkers could improve the early detection and prevention of colorectal cancer. The study will be published in the October issue of Experimental Biology and Medicine.