Cytokeratin 17 (CK17), a TIC marker in the cervix, was induced by PIWIL2 overexpression but abolished by PDK1 silencing; expressions of the epithelial differentiation markers involucrin and loricrin were conversely altered by PDK1 modulation (Figure 3M,N), which may contribute to tumor suppression via targeting PDK1. The gene discussed is PIWIL2; the disease is neoplasm.