Proteomic analysis of serum deprivation in tongue squamous cell carcinoma

The occurrence of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is closely correlated with serum components; however, the detailed mechanism remains to be fully elucidated. Proteomic analysis contributed to the discovery of potential biomarkers and provided an insight into TSCC at a molecular level. The present study investigated the effect of serum deprivation on the Tca-8113 TSCC cell line through protein profiling using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, with the aim of improving TSCC diagnosis. The results showed that the Tca-8113 cells maintained proliferative capacity and resisted apoptosis following serum deprivation. A total of 43 proteins were upregulated and 45 were downregulated following serum deprivation for 24 h, compared with untreated controls (0 h). The upregulated caspase-7, heat shock protein 27 and Annexin A1, and the downregulated peroxiredoxin-6 and heat shock protein 70, were selected for verification using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis following serum deprivation for 16 h. The results indicated that reactive oxygen species may be important in serum deprivation-induced oxidative stress.