Glycomic profiling of carcinoembryonic antigen isolated from human tumor tissue

Clinical Proteomics

Yaming Liu¹  Qianqian Li¹  Dengbo Ji²  Tiancheng Zhan²  Chuncui Huang¹  Hongmei Wu¹  Yan Li¹ 

[1] Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. ChinaInstitute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. ChinaInstitute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China;Key laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Colorectal Surgery, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, P. R. ChinaKey laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Colorectal Surgery, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, P. R. ChinaKey laboratory of Carcinogenesis and Translational Research (Ministry of Education), Department of Colorectal Surgery, Peking University Cancer Hospital & Institute, Beijing, P. R. China

关键词: Carcinoembryonic antigen;    Glycan profiling;    MALDI-TOF-MS³;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12014-015-9088-3

来源: Humana Press Inc

【 摘 要 】

Abstract

Background

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is a protein commonly found in human serum, with elevated CEA levels being linked to the progression of a wide range of tumors. It is currently used as a biomarker for malign tumors such as lung cancer and colorectal cancer [Urol Oncol: Semin Orig Invest 352: 644–648, 2013 and Lung Cancer 80: 45-49, 2013]. However, due to its low specificity in clinical applications, CEA can be used for monitoring only, rather than tumor diagnosis. The function of many glycoproteins is critically dependent on their glycosylation pattern, which in turn has the potential to serve in tumor detection. However, little is known about the detailed glycan patterns of CEA.

Methods

To determine these patterns, we isolated and purified CEA proteins from human tumor tissues using immunoaffinity chromatography. The glycan patterns of CEA were then analyzed using a Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization-Time of Flight-Mass Spectrometry³ (MALDI-TOF-MS³) approach.

Results

We identified 61 glycoforms in tumor tissue, where CEA is upregulated. These glycosylation entities were identified as bi-antennary, tri-antennary and tetra-antennary structures carrying sialic acid and fucose residues, and include a multitude of glycans previously not reported for CEA.

Conclusion

Our findings should facilitate a more precise tumor prediction than currently possible, ultimately resulting in improved tumor diagnosis and treatment.

【 授权许可】

Unknown