To elucidate whether TM4SF1 is associated with the stem cell-like properties of CRC cells, we performed a sphere formation assay and found that knockdown of TM4SF1 expression significantly decreased the sphere formation and TM4SF1 overexpression enhanced sphere formation capability of both cell lines (Fig. 3e and Fig. S2a). The gene discussed is TM4SF1; the disease is colorectal carcinoma.