Proteomic analysis of Tiam1-mediated metastasis in colorectal cancer

Tiam1 (T lymphoma invasion and metastasis 1), a guanine nucleotide exchange factor that activates Rac, was recently identified as a novel colorectal cancer metastasis-related gene. To better understand the mechanism underlying Tiam1-mediated metastasis, we applied two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) analysis to identify differentially expressed proteins between Tiam1 transfected and mock transfected colorectal cancer HT29 cells. Eleven differentially expressed proteins were identified and further validated by Western blot and/or real-time PCR. The results revealed that Tiam1 transfection in colorectal cancer cells could upregulate the expression of Fascin-1, heat shock protein 27 (HSP27), high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), glutathione S-transferase omega 1 (GSTO1) and downregulate the expression of annexin IV. These differentially expressed proteins may be directly or indirectly regulated by Tiam1 and be helpful in studying mechanisms that lead to the function of Tiam1. These results give some clues to elucidate the mechanism of Tiam1-mediated metastasis for colorectal cancer.