Comparative gene-expression profiling of CD133+ and CD133- D10 melanoma cells

Aims: The present study aimed to compare the gene-expression profiling of CD133(+) and CD133(-) D10 cells. Materials & methods: Cancer stem cell-like properties and gene-expression profiling of CD133(+) D10 cells versus CD133(-) cells were evaluated. Results: The CD133(+) D10 cells showed significantly higher clonogenic and spheroid forming potential, also higher expression of stemness genes NANOG and OCT4A compared with the CD133(-) cells. Gene-expression profiling of CD133(+) versus CD133(-) D10 cells revealed that 130 genes including ABC transporter superfamily (ABCC1, ABCG2 and ABCC6) were upregulated, while 61 genes including apoptosis modifying genes (CASP8 and TNFRSF4) were downregulated. Conclusion: We conclude that many genes involved in drug resistance and tumor aggressiveness are upregulated in CD133(+) D10 cells and targeting them might be an efficient strategy for treatment of melanoma.