Differential protein expression between various pathological grades of glioma has been shown in studies of glioma proteomics. However,very little data is available regarding normal brain tissues and glioma differential protein expression,because normal human brain tissues are difficult to harvest. The present study selected samples from low-grade astrocytomas and peritumoral brain tissues to analyze differential protein expression by two-dimensional(2D) electrophoresis and mass spectrometry techniques. Results revealing 36 protein spots by 2D electrophoresis,including 23 spots revealing increased expression and 13 spots revealing decreased expression. However,25 differential proteins were identified by mass spectrometry,including 16 proteins with increased expression and 9 with decreased expression. Western blot analysis confirmed the mass spectrometry results,i.e.,heat shock protein 70(HSP70) and human transthyretin(TTR) expressions were increased,but glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) was decreased,in astrocytomas. The present study constructed a 2D electrophoresis pattern between low-grade astrocytomas in the human brain and peritumoral tissues. Results demonstrated that a majority of differential proteins,such as HSP70,TTR,and GFAP,participate in malignant progression of gliomas. Differential protein expression between various pathological grades of glioma has been shown in studies of glioma proteomics. However, very little data is available regarding normal brain tissues and glioma differential protein expression, because normal human brain tissues are difficult to harvest. The present study selected samples from low-grade astrocytomas and peritumoral brain tissues to analyze differential protein expression by two-dimensional (2D) electrophoresis and mass spectrometry techniques. Results revealing 36 protein spots by 2D electrophoresis, including 23 spots revealing increased expression and 13 spots revealing decreased expression. , 25 differential proteins were identified by mass spectrometry, including 16 proteins with increased expression and 9 with decreased expression. Western blot analysis confirmed the mass spectrometry results, ie, heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) and human transthyretin (TTR) expressions were increased, but glial fibrillary acidic protein (G The present study constructed a 2D electrophoresis pattern between low-grade astrocytomas in the human brain and peritumoral tissues. Results demonstrated that a majority of differential proteins, such as HSP70, TTR, and GFAP, participate in malignant progression of gliomas.