Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 5, 2026

Discovery of Driver Genes in Colorectal HT29-derived Cancer Stem-Like Tumorspheres
Published on: July 22, 2020
G9a governs colon cancer stem cell phenotype and chemoradioresistance through PP2A-RPA axis-mediated DNA damage
Chi-Wen Luo1, Jaw-Yuan Wang2, Wen-Chun Hung3
1Department of Pathology, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan.
Background And Purpose:
Neoadjuvant concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) is a standard treatment of locally advanced colon cancer cell (CRC). In order to maximize efficacy and minimize toxicity, new drugs have been developed and used in combination with CCRT. Recently, it has been shown that G9a plays a role in mediating phenotypes of cancer stem cells (CSCs). This study aimed to characterize G9a as a biomarker in predicting therapy response to prevent overtreatment and adverse effects in CRC patients.
Experimental Design:
The primary tumors from 39 patients who received CCRT for rectal cancer were selected. In vivo tumor xenograft models for tumorigenic properties in immunodeficient mice were developed. In vitro stemness ability was performed by tumor-sphere assays, cell response to anti-cancer agents and stemness-related genes analysis.
Results:
Cells survived from radiation treatment, and displayed high levels of G9a. A significantly positive correlation was shown between G9a and CSCs marker CD133 in locally advanced rectal cancer patients with CCRT. Knockdown of G9a increased the sensitivity of cells to radiation treatment and sensitized cells to DNA damage agents through PP2A-RPA axis.
Conclusions:
Our study theorized that G9a might serve as a novel target in colon cancer, which offers exciting potential in prediction of response to preoperative chemoradiotherapy in patients with advanced CRC.
Related Concept Videos
DNA Damage Can Stall the Cell Cycle
DNA Damage can Stall the Cell Cycle
Abnormal Proliferation
Negative Regulator Molecules
Cancer Stem Cells and Tumor Maintenance
Cancer stem cells are thought to originate from tissue-specific normal stem cells or progenitor cells. The normal stem cells usually reside in...
Tumor Progression
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...

