Both ATXN3 and Galectin-9 protein expression levels exhibited a similar decrease in benign colon adenoma compared to colon adenocarcinoma (Fig. 6, B and C), suggesting an early-stage involvement of ATXN3 and Galectin-9 reduction in colon cancer tumorigenesis. The gene discussed is ATXN3; the disease is colon adenocarcinoma.