Human Cervical Cancer-Associated Nuclear Matrix Proteins

The nuclear matrix is the nonchromatin protein structural component of the nucleus that governs nuclear shape and also exerts regulatory control over higher order gene organization. Recent studies have documented the presence of tumor-associated nuclear matrix proteins in several human cancers. We used high-resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis to compare nuclear matrix protein patterns in cervical carcinomas with those from normal cervical tissue. Tumors obtained from 20 patients undergoing hysterectomy for clinically localized cervical cancer were compared with normal cervical tissue. We have identified five polypeptides (CvC-1:Mr= 69,408 Da, pI= 5.78; CvC-2:Mr= 53,752 Da, pI= 5.54; CvC-3:Mr= 47,887 Da, pI= 5.60; CvC-4:Mr= 46,006 Da, pI= 5.07; and CvC-5:Mr= 44,864 Da, pI= 6.61) in the nuclear matrix from cervical carcinomas that were present in 20 of 20 cervical tumors but 0 of 10 normal tissues. These data extend similar findings of cancer-associated nuclear matrix proteins in other human cancers and suggest that nuclear matrix proteins may represent a new class of cancer markers that could aid the diagnosis or management of some types of cancer.