The CASP6 Knockout Raji Polyclonal Cells product provides a CRISPR/Cas9-edited polyclonal cell population with targeted disruption of the CASP6 gene in the Raji B lymphoblastoid cell line. This loss-of-function model is designed for investigating executioner caspase function within apoptosis signaling networks. The polyclonal knockout population, generated by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene disruption, enables bulk analysis of gene knockout effects without clonal selection.
Raji cells are an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive Burkitt’s lymphoma-derived B lymphocyte line, widely employed as a model for B-cell malignancies. These lymphoblastoid cells retain characteristics relevant to lymphoma biology, including aberrant proliferation and altered apoptotic signaling, making them a suitable host for studying cell death pathways.
CASP6 is an executioner caspase that acts downstream of initiator caspases CASP8 and CASP9 in both the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptosis pathways. Upon activation, CASP6 cleaves key structural substrates such as lamin A/C, cytokeratin 18, huntingtin, and tau, leading to nuclear disassembly and execution of programmed cell death. The enzyme is regulated by upstream death receptors (Fas, TRAIL), cytochrome c/Apaf-1, and the inhibitor XIAP. It also participates in a feedback amplification loop via Bid cleavage. Representative pathway components include FADD, CASP8, Bid, cytochrome c, Apaf-1, CASP9, CASP3, and DNA fragmentation factors.
In the Raji lymphoma context, CASP6 knockout provides a valuable tool to dissect the contribution of this executioner caspase to apoptosis induction and drug sensitivity. Dysregulation of caspase pathways is frequently observed in B-cell malignancies and correlates with chemotherapy resistance and tumor survival. Therefore, this model allows systematic interrogation of how loss of CASP6 alters apoptotic threshold, caspase cascade dynamics, and responses to therapeutic agents targeting death receptor or mitochondrial apoptotic pathways.
Researchers can employ these polyclonal knockout cells in a range of experimental workflows, including Western blotting for CASP6 expression validation, RT-qPCR for mRNA quantification, Annexin V apoptosis assays, caspase activity fluorometric or luminogenic assays, cell viability (MTT) measurements, and drug sensitivity studies. Immunofluorescence for lamin A/C cleavage and flow cytometry with markers such as cleaved caspase-3, caspase-6, or Annexin V/PI further enable detailed phenotypic analysis. For further information or to request a quote, please contact Ascent Research.
