The role of PTEN/Akt/PI3K signaling in the maintenance and viability of prostate cancer stem-like cell populations.

ABSTRACT: Characterization of the molecular pathways that are required for the viability and maintenance of self-renewing tumor-initiating cells may ultimately lead to improved therapies for cancer. In this study, we show that a CD133(+)/CD44(+) population of cells enriched in prostate cancer progenitors (PCaPs) has tumor-initiating potential and that these progenitors can be expanded under nonadherent, serum-free, sphere-forming conditions. Cells grown under these conditions have increased in vitro clonogenic and in vivo tumorigenic potential. mRNA expression analysis of cells grown under sphere-forming conditions, compared with long-term monolayer cultures, revealed preferential activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. PI3K p110alpha and beta-protein levels were higher in cells grown under sp

SUBMITTER: Dubrovska A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2629188 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature