ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A NOVEL ANTICANCER MUSCLE PROTEIN FROM EDIBLE MARINE CATFISH TACHYSURUS DUSSUMEIRI

Cancer, the uncontrolled growth of cells, has been estimated as a major cause of death among human population. Although there are many potential drugs, a much effective bioactive drug with less side effects are still in its pioneer stage of research. The aim of the study was to isolate, purify and characterize the anticancer muscle protein from edible marine catfish, Tachysaurus dussumieri, so as to project it as an alternative medicine for cancer. The anticancer muscle protein was purified to its homogeneity from the edible marine catfish Tachysurus dussumieri through ammonium sulphate fractionation and ion exchange chromatography. Both partially purified crude fractions and isolated purified muscle protein were screened for its anticancer activity by MTT assay. The fraction III revealed prominent anti-cancer activity which was subjected to MALDI-TOF MS analysis for its molecular weight confirmation. Further, Peptide Mass Finger printing analysis (PMF) was executed to reveal its nature.  To reconfirm its anticancer action, DAPI, PI staining and Comet assay were executed. The purified dimer having 13.285 kDa weight was homologous to Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-3a. The Purified protein showed a remarkable inhibitory effect on the proliferation of human colon adenocarcinoma cell line (HT 29) at a concentration of 20 µg/ml. Comet assay and fluorescence microscopic analysis also confirmed the significant increase in DNA fragmentation and cellular degradation of HT 29 cells, when treated with isolated protein. These results indicated the potentiality of the protein as a colorectal cancer therapeutic agent.