Increased amount of a mitochondria-associated 21 x 103 dalton protein in human gastrointestinal tumors

Summary Differences in the structure and number of mitochondria in tumor cells were found. Using isoelectrofocussing two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis which allows detection of alterations in the protein pattern of tumor mitochondria, we studied both quantitative and qualitative changes in the mitochondrial protein pattern of human gastrointestinal tumors and corresponding normal matrix tissues. One low molecular protein spot was found to be quantitatively changed in the tumors. The approximate molecular weight was 21 x 103 daltons and the pl value 5.7.Dedicated to Dr. Hellmuth Sitte on the occasion of his 60th birthday