A small molecule (pluripotin) as a tool for studying cancer stem cell biology: proof of concept.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cancer stem cells (CSC) are thought to be responsible for tumor maintenance and heterogeneity. Bona fide CSC purified from tumor biopsies are limited in supply and this hampers study of CSC biology. Furthermore, purified stem-like CSC subpopulations from existing tumor lines are unstable in culture. Finding a means to overcome these technical challenges would be a useful goal. In a first effort towards this, we examined whether a chemical probe that promotes survival of murine embryonic stem cells without added exogenous factors can alter functional characteristics in extant tumor lines in a fashion consistent with a CSC phenotype.

Methodology/principal findings

The seven tumor lines of the NCI60 colon subpanel were exposed to SC-1 (pluripotin), a dual kinase and

SUBMITTER: Mertins SD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3578829 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature