BICD2 Knockout SK-HEP-1 Polyclonal Cells are a CRISPR/Cas9-edited polyclonal knockout cell population derived from the SK-HEP-1 human liver adenocarcinoma line, harboring a targeted disruption of the BICD2 locus. This gene-edited product provides a genetically defined loss-of-function model without clonal selection, enabling investigation of BICD2-dependent retrograde trafficking and associated cellular processes in a pooled cell population.
SK-HEP-1 is an immortalized human cell line established from the ascitic fluid of a patient with liver adenocarcinoma. These cells exhibit epithelial morphology with endothelial-like features and are widely used as a model for hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis. Their robust growth and well-characterized organelle architecture facilitate analysis of intracellular trafficking dynamics.
BICD2 functions as a cargo adaptor that couples RAB6-positive vesicles to the dynein-dynactin motor complex, driving retrograde transport from the Golgi to the endoplasmic reticulum along microtubules. The protein interacts directly with the dynein heavy chain (DYNC1H1) and dynactin subunit DCTN1, as well as with Golgi-resident factors GOLGA2 and GOLGB1. Upstream, BICD2 is activated by RAB6 GTPase and regulated by cyclin-dependent kinases. It mediates COPI-independent vesicle motility and contributes to Golgi positioning, with additional interaction with PAFAH1B1 linking it to neuronal migration pathways.
In the SK-HEP-1 liver cancer context, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated BICD2 disruption is predicted to impair retrograde Golgi-to-ER trafficking, causing Golgi fragmentation and altered subcellular organization. Given the line??s metastatic potential, loss of BICD2 may compromise dynein-driven organelle transport required for efficient cell migration and invasion. Thus, this model serves to dissect the impact of trafficking defects on hepatocellular carcinoma motility and provides a relevant system to explore connections with BICD2-associated motor neuron disorders such as SMALED2 and hereditary spastic paraplegia.
The BICD2 Knockout SK-HEP-1 Polyclonal Cells enable diverse experimental applications. Knockout confirmation can be performed by Western blotting and RT-qPCR, while immunofluorescence staining for GM130 assesses Golgi morphology. Functional retrograde trafficking studies utilize RUSH-based assays or live-cell imaging. Wound-healing and transwell invasion assays quantify metastatic behavior, and co-immunoprecipitation analyses probe dynein-dynactin complex integrity. This model also supports drug screening for SMALED2 and related motor neuron diseases. For further information or to discuss custom applications, please contact Ascent Research.
