Using Comparative Proteomics to Identify Protein Signatures in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

Cancer Genomics Proteomics. 2023 Nov-Dec;20(6):592-601. doi: 10.21873/cgp.20408.

Abstract

Background/aim: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the world. Approximately 25-30% of patients identified with initial kidney cancer will have metastasized tumors, thus 5-year survival rates for these patients are poor. Therefore, biomarker research is required to identify and predict molecular signatures in RCC.

Materials and methods: To address this, we used a mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics approach to identify proteins related to clear cell RCC (ccRCC) tissues from patients with T1G2, T1G3, T3G2, T3G3, and metastatic RCC (mRCC) stages.

Results: We identified and quantified 2,608 and 2,463 proteins, respectively, in ccRCC tissue and identified 1,449 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). Bioinformatics analysis revealed that serpin family A member 3 (SERPINA3) qualified as biomarker for ccRCC progression. Using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunoblotting, and immunohistochemistry assays it was found that SERPINA3 expression levels in ccRCC tissues were much higher in stages before metastasis.

Conclusion: Comparative proteomics analysis of ccRCC tissues provided new evidence of SERPINA3 association with ccRCC progression.

Keywords: Clear cell renal carcinoma; comparative proteomics; metastasis; prognostic marker; serpine A3.

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / genetics
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Kidney Neoplasms* / metabolism
  • Prognosis
  • Proteomics / methods

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor