The Evaluation of Gene Oct4 Expression as a New Tumor Marker in Pancreatic Tumor and Non-Tumor Cell Lines

Introduction: Oct4 gene is one of the important genes involved in stem cell self-renewal control. Recently, this gene has been proposed as a novel molecular marker for cancer detection. Therefore, in this study we examined the expression of Oct4 gene in MIA Paca-2, PA-TU-8902 and AsPC-1 cell lines as well as pancreatic cancer. Methods: In this experimental study, MIA Paca-2, PA-TU-8902 and AsPC-1 cell lines were cultured in DMEM [1] (GibcoDulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium is a widely used basal medium for supporting the growth of many different mammalian cells) and RPMI [2] - 1640 (RPMI, also known as RPMI 1640 or Roswell Park Memorial Institute Medium, was first described by Moore, 1967, in successfully culturing and expanding human lymphoid cells) medium containing 10% Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS) in a 37 degree centigrade, incubator containing 5% CO2 and 90% moisture. Pancreatic tumor and non-tumor specimens were purchased from Tumor Bank of Iran. RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis were then performed. Oct4 expression levels were determined using Real-time PCR. Protein expression levels of target genes in cell lines were evaluated using flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry. Results: The expression level of Oct4 was higher in cancer cell lines than in control (normal tissue) samples. The protein expression levels of the target genes in the goal cell lines were confirmed by flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry. Conclusion/Implications: Oct4 could be considered as a molecular marker of cancer in pancreatic cells. This gene may play an important role in the uncontrolled proliferation of cancer cells.