Identification of metastasis-associated genes by transcriptional profiling of metastatic versus non-metastatic colon cancer cell lines.

In order to define genes which mediate liver tropism of colon cancer metastasis we have compared the transcriptional profile of 5600 full-length genes using the Affymetrix HuGene FL array technology of the non-metastatic colon cancer cell lines KM12C and the two metastatic cell lines, KM12SM and KM12L4A, which are derived from KM12C. We present data on genes which are up- and downregulated in the metastatic cell line and those which are selectively upregulated in one of the metastatic cell lines. We have sub-grouped the deregulated genes into different categories, such as immune response, modulation of transcription, enzymes, cell cycle/apoptosis, interferon- and tumor necrosis factor-regulated genes, tumor antigens and transmembrane receptors, intracellular signaling, cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix associated proteins, 'others' and genes of unknown function.