Gene expression profiling of cancer stem cells in the Du145 prostate cancer cell line

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) that exhibit tumor-initiating properties have been identified in primary prostate cancer and prostate cancer cell lines. CSCs are the root of tumor metastasis and recurrence even in the cases where they constitute a minority of the tumor mass. In this study, putative CSCs were isolated from the Du145 cell line and an Affymetrix microarray was used to investigate their gene expression profile. The results were validated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The results of the microarray indicated that 138 genes were upregulated and 93 genes were downregulated in the CSCs. Certain genes that may be significant in the regulation of CSCs from the Du145 cell line were identified. These results may aid the studying of the mechanisms through which CSCs acquire their distinctive properties.