Essential role of aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A3 for the maintenance of non-small cell lung cancer stem cells is associated with the STAT3 pathway.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Lung cancer stem cells (CSC) with elevated aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity are self-renewing, clonogenic, and tumorigenic. The purpose of our study is to elucidate the mechanisms by which lung CSCs are regulated.

Experimental design

A genome-wide gene expression analysis was performed to identify genes differentially expressed in the ALDH(+) versus ALDH -: cells. RT-PCR, Western blot analysis, and Aldefluor assay were used to validate identified genes. To explore the function in CSCs, we manipulated their expression followed by colony and tumor formation assays.

Results

We identified a subset of genes that were differentially expressed in common in ALDH(+) cells, among which ALDH1A3 was the most upregulated gene in ALDH(+) versus ALDH -: cells. shRNA-me

SUBMITTER: Shao C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4438754 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature