The HIP gene encoding a heparin/heparan sulfate interacting protein is mutated in metastatic human colorectal cancer

Heparin/heparan sulfate interacting protein (HIP) was initially identified as an adhesion molecule from a human uterine epithelial cell line. It was previously demonstrated that HIP was upregulated in human colorectal cancer. However, its expression was significantly lower in Dukes' D samples compared to earlier Dukes' stages suggesting that HIP was inversely correlated to metastasis. The present study shows the presence of mutations in human metastatic colorectal cancer tissue and a cell line. Interestingly, a 12-base deletion encoding the heparin/heparan sulfate binding motif was common between the metastatic tissue and cell line. There was no mutation in the primary carcinoma and normal tissue. The findings suggest an important role for HIP in colorectal cancer metastasis.