Resumen
Cancer cells gaining stem cell gene signatures has been deemed as the root of cancers. Blocking the driver genes that control cancer stemness will lead to effective tumor suppression. Lin28 is a stemness driver gene that exerts its tumor-promoting activity through its RNA binding capability. Here, we analyzed the protein structure of Lin28 and discovered several chemicals that can block Lin28 RNA-binding activity. The identified Lin28 inhibitors strongly block the cancer cell stemness features, indicating that these chemicals may be further developed into clinically used drugs for cancer patients.