Transcription Factor Oct1 Is a Somatic and Cancer Stem Cell Determinant

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1003048
• Publication Date: 2012-11-08T21:58:05Z
• Authors: Jessica Maddox; Arvind Shakya; Samuel South; Dawne Shelton; Jared N. Andersen; Stephanie Chidester; Jinsuk Kang; Keith M. Gligorich; David A. Jones; Gerald J. Spangrude; Bryan E. Welm; Dean Tantin
• Keywords: Stem cell marker

Defining master transcription factors governing somatic and cancer stem cell identity is an important goal. Here we show that the Oct4 paralog Oct1, a factor implicated in stress responses, metabolic control, poised states, regulates normal pathologic function. Oct1HI cells colon small intestine co-express known markers. In primary malignant tissue, high Oct1 protein but not mRNA levels strongly correlate with frequency of CD24LOCD44HI cancer-initiating cells. Reducing expression via RNAi reduces proportion ALDHHI dye effluxHI cells, increasing increases Normal harbor elevated levels. Functionally, promotes tumor engraftment hematopoietic potential competitive serial transplants. addition to previously described transcriptional targets, identify four targets associated phenotype. Cumulatively, data indicate