Novel fer-like protein, pharmaceutical compositions containing it and method for its use

Provided is a novel Fer-like protein, referred to as “FerC” (Fer colorectal cancer). FerC is a 47kDa protein having a unique N-terminal sequence and was found to be present in six colon cancer cell-lines and in five hepatocarcinoma (liver cancer) cell-lines, but not in CCD33 normal colon epithelial cells or normal human and mouse fibroblasts. Depletion of FerC impairs cell-cycle progression and induces apoptotic death in treated colon cancer (CC) cells. Also provided are nucleotide sequences that are antisense to at least a portion of the N-terminal sequence, short interfering nucleotides including such an antisense sequence, as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing an antisense sequence. The present pharmaceutical composition may be used in the treatment of cancer, in particular, colorectal cancer and liver cancer.