Ezrin Gene Expression and Protein Production in the CD44+ Subpopulation of SCC-9 Cells in a Malignant Oral Cancer Cell Line In Vitro

PurposeThe 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 MethodsThe 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.ResultsThe 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).ConclusionThe 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.