title: Stem cell markers as predictors of oral cancer invasion.
abstract: We previously showed that within primary tumors there exist subpopulations of cells expressing stem cell markers. Using immunofluorescence and western blotting, we examined the expression of stem cell markers tumor-rejection antigen 1-60 (TRA1-60) and octamer-binding transcription factor 3/ 4 (OCT3/4) to determine their relationship with cell invasiveness. Six human oral cancer cell lines were examined and a direct correlation was found between expression of these stem cell markers and invasion. Poor expression of E-cadherin and increased expression of N-cadherin was also found in TRA1-60- and OCT3/4- expressing cells. Phosphorylation of the major signaling molecule mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) was greatest in the TRA1-60- and OCT3/4- expressing cells. These results suggest that expression of specific stem cell markers in tumors may help guide a clinician's choice of treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orofacial Sciences, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0422, USA.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Siu
authors.forename: Carlin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Dongmin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dang
authors.forename: Casey
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Daniel M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Ramos
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D006801:Humans; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015820:Cadherins; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases