以微陣列技術篩選與大腸直腸癌轉移有關基因的差異表現

In this study, we examine the usability of microarray technique in screening the
clusters of genes related to the liver metastasis of colorectal cancer. Complementary
DNA probes were prepared from mRNA extracted from colonic cancer specimens,
adjacent normal mucosa, and hepatic metastases and then were labeled with
chemiluminescence. These labeled probes were allowed to bind to the gene fragments
on the filter. A specialized scanning charge-coupled device camera measured the
intensity of each chemiluminescent spot, which is an indicator of the degree to which
a specific gene is expressed. Gene expression image was quantified into intensity of
signals by using computer software. We found that an array of around 70 genes were
related the matastatic ability of colorectal cancer cells. Up-regulation of nm23, TIMPI,
VEGF, and cyclin E and down-regulation of some tumor suppressor genes (p53,
TOSO, and SIVA), β -catenin, and metallothionein were observed in hepatic
matastatic specimen when compared with colonic cancer specimen. Based on this
experiment, we feel that microarray technique may be currently the most powerful
tool to find the fingerprint that is related to the live metastasis of colorectal cancer.
However, the refinement of experimental technique and interpretation method need be
further developed.