NOTCH Signaling Regulates Asymmetric Cell Fate of Fast- and Slow-Cycling Colon Cancer-Initiating Cells. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Colorectal cancer cells with stem-like properties, referred to as colon cancer-initiating cells (CCIC), have high tumorigenic potential. While CCIC can differentiate to promote cellular heterogeneity, it remains unclear whether CCIC within a tumor contain distinct subpopulations. Here, we describe the co-existence of fast- and slow-cycling CCIC, which can undergo asymmetric division to generate each other, highlighting CCIC plasticity and interconvertibility. Fast-cycling CCIC express markers, such as LGR5 and CD133, rely on MYC for their proliferation, whereas slow-cycling CCIC express markers, such as BMI1 and hTERT, are independent of MYC. NOTCH signaling promotes asymmetric cell fate, regulating the balance between these two populations. Overall, our results illuminate the basis for CCIC heterogeneity and plasticity by defining a direct interconversion mechanism between slow- and fast-cycling CCIC. Cancer Res; 76(11); 3411-21. ©2016 AACR.

publication date

  • April 11, 2016

Research

keywords

  • Cell Differentiation
  • Colonic Neoplasms
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells
  • Receptors, Notch

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC4891252

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 84975029635

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-15-3198

PubMed ID

  • 27197180

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 76

issue

  • 11