Serine/arginine-rich splicing factors 2 (SRSF2) and SRSF4 expression patterns in Korean with colon cancer

Abstract

Purpose Splicing factors play important roles in tumorigenesis. Serine/arginine-rich splicing factors 2 (SRSF2) and SRSF4 proteins, the members of SR family proteins, are dysregulated in various cancers. However, their protein expression levels and diagnostic values are unclear in colorectal cancer. Methods We quantified the protein levels of SRSF2, SRSF4, and previously known colon cancer markers (heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 [HNRNPA1] and carcinoembryonic antigen [CEA]) in tumor compared with adjacent normal-looking areas (non-tumor) of the colon in Korean patients with colon cancer using immunoblot analysis. Results The protein levels of HNRNPA1 and CEA were remarkably increased in tumor compared to non-tumor tissue and up-regulated in all of the tumor samples. However, the protein levels of SRSF2 and SRSF4 in tumor tissue were reduced in contrast with those of non-tumor tissue. Conclusion None of the SRSF proteins were significantly different between the low (≤II) and high (>II) stages.

Keywords

• colon cancer
• splicing factor
• serine/arginine-rich splicing factors 2
• serine/arginine-rich splicing factors 4