Ezrin gene expression and protein production in the CD44(+) subpopulation of SCC-9 cells in a malignant oral cancer cell line in vitro

Abstract

Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to examine ezrin in the CD44(+) subpopulation of SCC-9 cells in a malignant oral cancer cell line.

Materials and methods: The CD44(+) subpopulation of SCC-9 cells was sorted using CD44 fluorescence-activated cell sorting flow cytometry. Expressions of the ABCG2, CD133, Oct-4, BMI-1, an ezrin genes and proteins were detected by immunofluorescence and real-time polymerase chain reaction, and their differential expressions in the CD44(+) and CD44(-) cell populations and embryonic stem cells were compared. The location of the ezrin protein expressed in SCC-9 cells was determined using laser scanning confocal microscopy.

Results: The expression of ezrin in the CD44(+) subpopulation was 38 times higher than in the CD44(-) subpopulation based on real-time polymerase chain reaction, and levels of ABCG2, CD133, Oct-4, and BMI-1 in the CD44(+) subpopulation were higher than those in the CD44(-) subpopulation (P < .05).

Conclusion: The overexpression of ezrin in the CD44(+) subpopulation of SCC-9 cells might affect the functions of CD44(+) tumor cells, which contribute to the metastatic behavior of malignant oral squamous cell carcinoma.