Foot-print of Claudin and Occludin Transcriptome in Colorectal Cancer

TL;DR

This study investigates the expression levels of tight junction proteins Claudin and Occludin in colorectal cancer, finding increased expression associated with higher disease stage and metastasis, suggesting a role in cancer progression.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the expression patterns of Claudin and Occludin in colorectal cancer and their potential role in tumor progression and metastasis.

Findings

Higher gene expression in advanced and metastatic cases

Correlation between tight junction proteins and cancer severity

Potential role of these proteins in cancer development

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Colorectal cancer as a leading cause of mortality worldwide, can be regarded as a relatively common and fatal disease with increasing incidence over recent years. Colorectal cancer is characterized by uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells occurring in different parts of the colon. About 90% of deaths associated with cancers occur due to metastasis which overcome overcomes the body's cellular connection, including tight junctions. Claudin and Occludin are integral membrane proteins found in tight junctions. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression level of claudin and occludin in human colorectal cancer. Method: In this study, 38 colorectal cancer patients who referred to Cancer Institute of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran, Iran were studied after obtaining the informed consent. First, quantitative extraction of RNA was performed, then the expression levels of claudin and Occludin genes were examined by reverse transcription, PCR, and Real-time PCR. Findings: The expression levels of both claudin and Occludin genes in cases with higher stage and grade of disease, in the state of metastasis were more than those of the control samples. Conclusion: The increased expression level of the mentioned genes can be considered as an influential factor in turning the normal healthy tissues into cancerous cells.