Rhogdi Alpha Suppresses Self-Renewal And Tumorigenesis Of Glioma Stem Cells

Glioma stem cells (GSCs) are a subset of tumor cells that drive glioma initiation and progression. The molecular mechanisms underlying the maintenance of GSCs are still poorly understood. Here we investigated the role of Rho GDP dissociation inhibitor a (RhoGDI alpha) in GSCs. RhoGDI alpha was down-regulated in glioma stem cells. Over-expression of RhoGDI alpha suppressed the self-renewal and tumorigenesis of GSCs. Further data showed that RhoGDI alpha inhibited the transcription activity of stem cell marker Oct4. Moreover, inactivation of ROCK1, a downstream effector of RhoGDI alpha, also decreased the self-renewal and Oct4 transcription activity, and rescued the effects caused by RhoGDI alpha knockdown. Our results indicate that RhoGDI alpha is involved in the maintenance of GSCs.