Aldehyde dehydrogenase activity selects for the holoclone phenotype in prostate cancer cells

► Isolated ALDHHi PC3 cells preferentially form primitive holoclone-type colonies. ► Primitive holoclone colonies are predominantly ALDHLo but contain rare ALDHHi cells. ► Holoclone-forming cells are not restricted to the ALDHHi population. ► ALDH phenotypic plasticity occurs in PC3 cells (ALDHLo to ALDHHi and vice versa). ► ALDHHi cells are observed but very rare in PC3 spheroids grown in stem cell medium.