BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between metalloproteins distributions and cancer development in human liver tissues. METHODOLOGY: Proteins in the cytosol and microsome of tumor and surrounding nontumor tissues from five individuals with HCC were separated with isoelectric focusing. Zinc, iron, copper, and manganese contents in protein bands were measured with synchrotron radiation X-ray fluorescence. RESULTS: In the cytosol, the metal contents in protein bands from tumor tissues were generally less than those from corresponding nontumor tissues, especially in the Fe-containing bands with isoelectric points of 6.5 and 8.0, and Cu, Zn-containing band of 5.5. However, reversed metal contents in Fe, Cu-containing band of 4.0 and Zn-containing bands of 3.9 and 4.3 were observed. In microsomes, the metal contents of protein bands were generally similar between tumor and nontumor tissues, but the Fe content in tumor tissues was 2.5-fold lower in the band of 5.9, the Cu and Zn contents were 2 and 3.5-fold higher in the band of 9.3, respectively, compared to that of nontumor tissues. CONCLUSIONS: Metal distributions among the detected metal-containing bands are distinguishable between tumor and nontumor tissues. The difference of the distribution may be involved in the carcinogenesis of the liver tissues.
Distribution of metalloproteins in hepatocellular carcinoma and surrounding tissues. Publishing Authors By Initials
