Investigation of genetic variations of tumor suppressor genes in colorectal cancer patients

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality, representing the second major cause of cancer incidence among females and the third among males. Lifestyle is identified as one of the most important risk factors for CRC, especially in sporadic colorectal cancer. Thioredoxin interacting protein (TXNIP), whose expression is induced by various types of stress including oxidative stress and is downregulated in various types of human cancer including colorectal cancer, is a negative regulator of thioredoxin, which is an important regulator of redox balance. A-kinase-anchoring protein 12 (AKAP12) plays a role in cell proliferation, angiogenesis. The downregulation of AKAP12 in many human cancers, often associated with promoter hypermethylation, or the loss of its locus at 6q24-25.2, correlates with progression to malignancy and metastasis. We employed RT-PCR assay to investigate TXNIP and AKAP12 expression in surgical specimens of primary tumors from Colorectal cancer patients. Thioredoxin binding protein -2 and A-kinase-anchoring protein 12 expression is downregulated in tumor cells but there was no statistically significant difference between patient and healthy control groups with regard to TXNIP ve AKAP12 expression. These data indicate that TXNIP and AKAP12 negatively regulates Colorectal carcinogenesis. This signal transduction pathway can be a potent target in preventing or treating Colorectal cancer. TXNIP and AKAP12 are promising prognostic markers for colorectal cancer Furthermore, the application of personalized adjuvant therapy based on TXNIP and AKAP12 expression levels will be an effective application in the treatment of CRC. Key Words: Colorectal cancer, TXNIP, AKAP12, Expression, RT-PCR