G-protein-signaling modulator 2 expression and role in a [CD133.sup.+] pancreatic cancer stem cell subset

Background: To investigate the expression and role of G-protein-signaling modulator 2 (GPSM2) in a [CD133.sup.+] pancreatic stem cell subset. Materials and methods: Pancreatic cancer stem cells (PCSCs) from the cell line PANC-1 were sorted into [CD133.sup.+] and [CD133.sup.-] subsets by flow cytometry. The tumorigenic potential of the subsets was assessed by subcutaneous tumor formation experiments in nude mice. Differential expression of GPSM2 was examined by real-time quantitative-PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting. To silence GPSM2 expression, a shRNA lentiviral vector targeting GPSM2 was constructed and stably transfected into [CD133.sup.+] PCSCs. The inhibitory efficiency of the GPSM2 gene was verified by qPCR and Western blotting. The proliferation, colony formation, and migration abilities of the transfected [CD133.sup.+] pancreatic cancer cells were assessed by MTT, soft agar colony formation, and Transwell assays. Results: [CD133.sup.+] and [CD133.sup.-] cell subsets were successfully isolated from PANC-1 cells. The [CD133.sup.+] subset subcutaneously formed tumors in nude mice that were significantly bigger (343.05 [+ or -] 57.59 [mm.sup.3] vs 176.86 [+ or -] 32.58 [mm.sup.3], PC0.01) and denser (4.13 [+ or -] 0.37 g vs 1.07 [+ or -] 0.21 g, P