Subcellular Localization of the Stem Cell Markers OCT4, SOX2, NANOG, KLF4 and c-MYC in Cancer: A Review

Authors: Bede van Schaijik, Paul F. Davis, Agadha C. Wickremesekera, Swee T. Tan and Tinte Itinteang

Journal of Clinical Pathology 2018. Volume 71, 88-91
doi:10.1136/j.jclinpath-2017-204815
http://jcp.bmj.com/content/71/1/88

The cancer stem cell (CSC) concept of cancer proposes that not all cancer cells participate in tumour formation and that the development and progression of cancer is driven by CSCs, a small sub-population of cells. A number of molecules specific to stem cells have been identified.

This review summarises the current understanding of the localisation and function of these molecules in relation to the role of cancer stem cells for a number of types of cancer. These findings give clues relating to their roles in cancer development and growth. They are found both inside and outside the nuclei of cells, which suggest that their movement in the cells may determine their functional activities with regards to tumour proliferation.