Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIγ enhances stem-like traits and tumorigenicity of lung cancer cells.

Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIγ enhances stem-like traits and tumorigenicity of lung cancer cells.

Oncotarget (2015-05-13)

Shoujie Chai, Xia Xu, Yongfang Wang, You Zhou, Chenchen Zhang, Yiming Yang, Ying Yang, Haiyan Xu, Rongzhen Xu, Kai Wang

ABSTRACT

Highly tumorigenic stem-like cells, considered tumor-initiating cells (TICs), are the main cause of lung cancer initiation, relapse, and drug resistance. In this study, we identified that Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIγ (CaMKIIγ) was aberrantly expressed in highly tumorigenic stem-like lung cancer cells, and was also correlated with poor prognosis in human lung cancer. Functionally, CaMKIIγ enhanced stem-like traits and the tumorigenicity of lung cancer cells in an Akt- and β-catenin-dependent manner. In addition, we found that CaMKIIγ upregulated Oct4 expression via Akt-mediated histone acetylation. Taken together, our findings reveal a critical role of CaMKIIγ in regulating the stemness and tumorigenicity of lung cancer cells and offer a promising therapeutic target for TICs.

MATERIALS

Product Number

Brand

Product Description

422709

Sigma-Aldrich

KN-92, KN-92, CAS 1135280-28-2, is useful as a negative control for KN-93 (Cat. No. 422708), a Ca²⁺/CaM Kinase II inhibitor.

681674

Sigma-Aldrich

Wnt Pathway Inhibitor XI, CCT036477, The Wnt Pathway Inhibitor XI, CCT036477, also referenced under CAS 305372-78-5, controls the biological activity of Wnt Pathway. This small molecule/inhibitor is primarily used for Cancer applications.

124011

Sigma-Aldrich

Akt Inhibitor IV, The Akt Inhibitor IV, also referenced under CAS 681281-88-9, controls the biological activity of Akt. This small molecule/inhibitor is primarily used for Phosphorylation & Dephosphorylation applications.