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Published on: March 14, 2019
Gene expression of fructosamine 3 kinase in patients with colorectal cancer
Maria Gabriella Caruso1, Maria Notarnicola, Donato Francesco Altomare
1Laboratory of Biochemistry, National Institute for Digestive Diseases S. de Bellis, Castellana Grotte, Italy.
Objective:
Spontaneous non-enzymatic reaction of protein amino groups with glucose and other reducing sugars, known as glycation or Maillard reaction, has long been considered irreversible and inevitably followed by slow conversion of fructosamines and advanced glycation end products. Instead, recent identification of fructosamine 3 kinase (FN3K) has unveiled that fructosamines can be physiologically repaired, so that the FN3K enzyme could be considered a new form of protein repair.
Methods:
Thirty-one consecutive patients with colorectal cancer were enrolled in the study. FN3K gene expression was determined using quantitative RT-PCR.
Results:
The mean level of FN3K gene expression was significantly lower in cancer tissue than in the corresponding normal colorectal mucosa, and FN3K gene was under-expressed most particularly in the tumours located on the left side of the colon.
Conclusions:
Low mRNA levels of this enzyme in colon cancer tissue with respect to normal surrounding mucosa suggests that neoplastic cells have lost a protective enzymatic system. Reduced FN3K gene expression may be important in the pathogenesis and progression of colorectal cancer.
Insights
Fructosamine 3 kinase (FN3K) enzyme, a protein repair system, was found to be significantly lower in colorectal cancer tissues. Reduced FN3K gene expression may play a role in colon cancer development and progression.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Glycation, a non-enzymatic reaction, was traditionally considered irreversible.
- Recent discovery of fructosamine 3 kinase (FN3K) revealed a physiological repair mechanism for fructosamines.
- FN3K represents a novel protein repair enzyme with potential implications in cellular health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of FN3K gene expression in colorectal cancer.
- To determine if FN3K levels differ between cancerous and normal colorectal tissues.
- To explore the potential link between FN3K under-expression and colorectal cancer pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative RT-PCR was used to measure FN3K gene expression.
- Thirty-one patients with colorectal cancer were included in the study.
- Gene expression levels were compared between tumor tissue and adjacent normal colorectal mucosa.
Main Results:
- FN3K gene expression was significantly lower in colorectal cancer tissues compared to normal mucosa.
- The most pronounced under-expression of FN3K was observed in tumors located in the left side of the colon.
- This suggests a loss of the protective FN3K enzymatic system in neoplastic cells.
Conclusions:
- Reduced FN3K mRNA levels in colon cancer indicate a potential loss of a protective mechanism.
- Under-expression of FN3K may be a significant factor in the pathogenesis and progression of colorectal cancer.
- FN3K could be a potential therapeutic target or biomarker in colorectal cancer research.
