Figure 8

Overexpression of CaSR blocks acquisition of stem cell-like characteristics. HT29 cells overexpressing the CaSR (HT29^CaSR) or empty transfected cells (HT29^EMP) were grown in stem cell media. (A) Ectopic expression of CaSR blocked acquisition of the pluripotency markers Nanog, Oct3/4, Stella, and FOXC2. (B) Treatment with NPS R-568 or ovexpression of CaSR diminished expression of pluripotency-associated markers Sox2, Nanog, Oct4 and CD44. (C) Extreme limiting dilution assay revealed a significantly lower sphere forming ability of stem-like cells in HT29^CaSR cells. Data represent mean ± SEM of 3-5 independent experiments. Scale bar: 50 μm. Statistical significance was calculated using t test. *p < 0.05, **p < 0.01.