Differential proteomic analysis of cancer stem cell properties in hepatocellular carcinomas by isobaric tag labeling and mass spectrometry

Ching Huai Ko, Chieh Fang Cheng, Chin Pen Lai, Te Hui Tzu, Chih Wei Chiu, Mei Wei Lin, Si Yuan Wu, Chung Yuan Sun, Hsiang Wen Tseng, Chun Chung Wang, Zong Keng Kuo, Ling Mei Wang, Sung Fang Chen*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Malignant tumors are relatively resistant to treatment due to their heterogeneous nature, drug resistance, and tendency for metastasis. Recent studies suggest that a subpopulation of cancer cells is responsible for the malignant outcomes. These cells are considered as cancer stem cells (CSC). Although a number of molecules have been identified in different cancer cells as markers for cancer stem cells, no promising markers are currently available for hepatocellular carcinoma cells. In this study, two clones of Hep3B cell lines were functionally characterized as control or CSC-like cells, based on properties including spheroid formation, drug resistance, and tumor initiation. Furthermore, their protein expression profiles were investigated by isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ), and a total of 1,127 proteins were identified and quantified from the combined fractions; 50 proteins exhibited at least 2-fold differences between these two clones. These 50 proteins were analyzed by GeneGo and were found to be associated with liver neoplasms, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and liver diseases. They were also components of metabolic pathways, immune responses, and cytoskeleton remodeling. Among these proteins, the expressions of S100P, S100A14, and vimentin were verified in several HCC cell lines, and their expressions were correlated with tumorigenicity in HCC cell lines. The functional significance of vimentin and S100A14 were also investigated and verified.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3573-3585
Number of pages13
JournalJournal of Proteome Research
Volume12
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013 Aug 2

Keywords

  • cancer stem cells
  • hepatocellular carcinoma
  • isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation
  • proteomic analysis

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • General Chemistry

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