title: New method for separation of subpopulations from a heterogeneous colon cancer cell line.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To understand the heterogeneity of human colon cancers, a new method to separate cancer subpopulations was developed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cells from a human colon cancer cell line, DLD-1, were seeded on an 8 microm pore membrane. After six hours, the cells which remained beneath the membrane as well as the cells which dropped onto the 24-well plate were collected. To clarify the differences between the two subpopulations, transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and immunocytochemistry were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two subpopulations, clones D and A, were separated from DLD-1 with the newly developed method. Both subpopulations showed quite different TEER values and different arrangements of cell-cell contact. In addition, the distinct subcellular localizations of claudin family proteins and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) were identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A new separation method to isolate colon cancer subpopulations was established in which the intercellular junctions differed. This method can be considered as a helpful tool in the investigation of colon cancer heterogeneity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan.
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takaya
authors.forename: Kunihiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tanaka
authors.forename: Chiasa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hirakawa
authors.forename: Yutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tagawa
authors.forename: Masami
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Niwa
mesh_terms: D018938:Caco-2 Cells; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods*; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D017097:Electric Impedance; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D019108:Tight Junctions / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008565:Membrane Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger