Abstract
The Octamer 4 gene (Oct4) is a master pluripotency controller that has been detected in several types of tumors. Here, we examine the expression of Oct4 in human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). We found that punctate Oct4 protein was expressed in most (93.7%) ESCC samples but it was not observed in esophageal mucosa. Some ESCC cells had the capacity to form tumorospheres; those with an Oct4(+)-rich cell phenotype had increased proliferation and Oct4 mRNA levels compared to those of differentiated cells in culture or xenograft tumors. The over-expression of Oct4 in ESCCs suggests that it is a potential target for ESCC therapy. Oct4 could be a useful tumor marker in an immunohistochemical panel designed to differentiate between ESCC and esophageal mucosa. Expression of Oct4 in tumorospheres might indicate the presence of a population of ECSCs and its expression in xenograft tumors suggests that Oct4 is also associated with tumor metastasis.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Adult
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Aged
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Animals
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Asian People / genetics
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Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
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Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
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Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / genetics
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Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism*
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Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
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Esophageal Neoplasms / genetics
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Esophageal Neoplasms / metabolism*
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Esophageal Neoplasms / pathology
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Esophagectomy
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Esophagus / metabolism*
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Esophagus / pathology
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Female
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Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
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Genetic Variation
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Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
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Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism
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Humans
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Immunohistochemistry
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Male
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Mice
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Mice, Nude
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Middle Aged
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Mucous Membrane / metabolism*
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Mucous Membrane / pathology
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Nanog Homeobox Protein
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Neoplasm Staging
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Octamer Transcription Factor-3 / genetics
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Octamer Transcription Factor-3 / metabolism*
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RNA, Messenger / analysis
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RNA, Messenger / biosynthesis
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Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
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SOXB1 Transcription Factors / genetics
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SOXB1 Transcription Factors / metabolism
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Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays
Substances
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Biomarkers, Tumor
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Homeodomain Proteins
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NANOG protein, human
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Nanog Homeobox Protein
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Octamer Transcription Factor-3
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POU5F1 protein, human
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RNA, Messenger
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SOX2 protein, human
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SOXB1 Transcription Factors