Proteomic profiling distinguishes astrocytomas and identifies differential tumor markers.

Methods to permit more precise delineation of astrocytomas of different grades may have therapeutic utility. The authors selectively microdissected pure populations of cells from normal brain and astrocytomas. They performed two-dimensional protein gel electrophoresis (2DGE) followed by protein sequencing. Differential expression was confirmed immunohistochemically. 2DGE identified proteomic patterns and proteins that differentiated normal brain from tumor and distinguished astrocytomas of increasing grade.