It regulates plasticity by inhibiting the stemness of melanoma stem/tumor-initiating cells, as defined by abrogation of the CD271+, Nestin+ and spheroid colony-forming phenotype and suppression of Sox2/Oct4/Nanog expression, with concomitant dampening of in vitro and in vivo tumor aggressiveness and metastasis [494]. The gene discussed is NANOG; the disease is neoplasm.