METHODS OF DIAGNOSING AND TREATING COLORECTAL CANCER

摘要

The present application provides a human gene, HELAD1, whose expression is markedly elevated in a great majority of colorectal cancers as compared to corresponding non-cancerous tissues. Specifically, in investigating the mechanisms of colorectal carcinogenesis, genes regulated by adenomatous polyposis coli gene product (APC) were searched and the HELAD1 gene (helicase, APC down-regulated 1) was identified. A recombinant polypeptide representing the ATPases associated with cellular activities (AAA) domain of the HELAD1 product showed 3' to 5' helicase activity and exonuclease activity in vitro. HELAD1 was abundantly expressed in 16 of 20 colon cancers examined but hardly detectable in corresponding non-cancerous mucosae. Treatment of colon-cancer cells with antisense oligonucleotides suppressed its expression and induced apoptosis. This data demonstrates the importance of HELAD1 in colorectal carcinogenesis and its utility as a diagnostic marker of colorectal cancer. It further suggest that suppression of HELAD1 may be a promising therapeutic strategy in the treatment of colorectal cancer.