Characterization of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) isoforms in normal and cancer cells: There is no cancer-associated form of PCNA

In order to clarify the status of PCNA in normal and transformed cells, we performed analysis of this protein by 2D-PAGE, Western blot and mass spectrometry. All the cell lines examined contained the major PCNA form (pI 4.57/30 kDa), that is not post-translationally modified. In addition to the major form, two minor isoforms (pI 4.52/30 kDa and pI 4.62/30 kDa) were also detected in all the cell lines examined. However, the level of PCNA in cancer cells is 5–6 folds higher than those in primary and most of the immortalized cells. Taken together, the significant difference in PCNA status between cancer and normal cells is not at the post-translational modifications but in the overall levels of PCNA.