Next, we analyzed the contribution of RARRES3 expression to the rate of oncosphere formation in 3D and 2D culture conditions, a readout of pluripotency (Dontu et al, 2003; Liao et al, 2007; Grimshaw et al, 2008) that determines the ability of a single BC cell to start a new colony. The gene discussed is PLAAT4; the disease is breast cancer.