Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 12, 2026
Glycomics-Guided Glycoproteomics Facilitates Comprehensive Profiling of the Glycoproteome in Complex Tumor Microenvironments
Published on: February 7, 2025
Detection of Proteome Changes in Human Colon Cancer Induced by Cell Surface Binding of Growth-Inhibitory Human
Malwina Michalak1,2, Uwe Warnken3, Sabine André4
1Department of Applied Tumor Biology, Institute of Pathology, Medical School of the Ruprecht-Karls-University , 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Abstract:
Endogenous lectins have the capacity to translate glycan-encoded information on the cell surface into effects on cell growth. As test cases to examine changes in protein presence associated with tumor growth inhibition, we applied SILAC-based proteomics on human colon carcinoma cells treated with galectin-4 (Gal-4). The five tested lines-LS 180, Vaco 432, Colo 205, CX 1, and HCT 116-responded with differentiation and reduced proliferation to Gal-4 binding. In proteomic analysis (mass spectral data deposited with PRIDE, PXD003489), 2654 proteins were quantified, of which 190 were down-regulated and 115 were up-regulated (>2-fold). 1D annotation analysis of the results indicated down-regulation of DNA replication-associated processes, while protein presence for secretory and transport functions appeared increased. The strongest induction was found for CALB2 (calretinin; ∼24-fold), TGM2 (protein-glutamine γ-glutamyltransferase 2; ∼11-fold), S100A3 (∼10-fold), and GSN (gelsolin; 9.5-fold), and the most pronounced decreases were seen for CDKN2A (tumor suppressor ARF; ∼6-fold), EPCAM (epithelial cell adhesion molecule; ∼6-fold), UBE2C (ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 C; ∼5-fold), KIF2C (kinesin-like protein KIF2C; 5-fold), and LMNB1 (lamin-B1; ∼5-fold). The presence of the common proliferation marker Ki-67 was diminished about 4-fold. By tracing significant alterations of protein expression likely relevant for the observed phenotypic effects, the capacity of a galectin to affect the proteome of human colon cancer cells at multiple sites is revealed.
Insights
Galectin-4 (Gal-4) treatment inhibits human colon cancer cell growth by inducing differentiation and reducing proliferation. Proteomic analysis revealed significant changes in protein expression, impacting DNA replication and cellular functions.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Endogenous lectins, such as galectins, play roles in cell surface glycan recognition.
- Galectins can influence cell growth and differentiation through glycan-mediated signaling.
- Colon carcinoma is a significant health concern, necessitating research into novel therapeutic targets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the proteomic changes in human colon carcinoma cells upon treatment with galectin-4 (Gal-4).
- To identify proteins and pathways affected by Gal-4, correlating with observed tumor growth inhibition and differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Applied SILAC-based proteomics to human colon carcinoma cell lines (LS 180, Vaco 432, Colo 205, CX 1, HCT 116) treated with Gal-4.
- Quantified over 2654 proteins, identifying differentially expressed proteins using mass spectral data (PRIDE, PXD003489).
- Performed 1D annotation analysis to interpret functional changes in the proteome.
Main Results:
- Gal-4 treatment induced differentiation and reduced proliferation in all tested colon carcinoma cell lines.
- Proteomic analysis identified 190 down-regulated and 115 up-regulated proteins (>2-fold).
- Key down-regulated proteins included CDKN2A (tumor suppressor ARF) and EPCAM, while up-regulated proteins included CALB2 and TGM2. Proliferation marker Ki-67 decreased ~4-fold.
Conclusions:
- Galectin-4 significantly alters the proteome of human colon cancer cells, affecting multiple cellular processes.
- The observed proteomic shifts, including down-regulation of DNA replication and up-regulation of secretory functions, correlate with Gal-4's anti-proliferative and differentiation-inducing effects.
- These findings highlight the potential of galectins as therapeutic agents in colon cancer treatment.
More Related Videos
09:52A Clinical Metaproteomics Workflow Implemented within Galaxy Bioinformatics Platform to Analyze Host-Microbiome Interactions Underlying Human Disease
Published on: January 10, 2025
08:08Quantitative Mass Spectrometric Profiling of Cancer-cell Proteomes Derived From Liquid and Solid Tumors
Published on: February 27, 2015