The CASP6 Knockout SK-HEP-1 Polyclonal Cells product comprises a CRISPR/Cas9-edited mixed cell population with targeted disruption of the CASP6 gene in the SK-HEP-1 human liver adenocarcinoma cell line. This polyclonal knockout format avoids clonal selection, providing a heterogeneous genetic background that captures average loss-of-function effects. Cells are supplied as live cultures ready for expansion and immediate use in apoptosis and cancer research applications.
SK-HEP-1 is an epithelial cell line derived from ascites of a liver adenocarcinoma patient. Despite its tumor origin, it exhibits endothelial characteristics and serves as a widely used model for liver sinusoidal endothelial cells. Its adherent growth phenotype and robust handling make it ideal for studying hepatic and endothelial cell signaling, drug metabolism, and cancer progression.
CASP6 encodes caspase-6, an executioner caspase mediating apoptosis by cleaving structural and signaling proteins, notably lamin A/C, PARP1, alpha-fodrin, and huntingtin. Activation occurs downstream of caspase-8, caspase-9, or granzyme B within the apoptosome, a complex containing cytochrome c, Apaf-1, and caspase-9. Caspase-6 is inhibited by XIAP and functionally collaborates with caspase-3. Dysregulation of caspase-6 contributes to neurodegeneration, inflammation, and cancer.
CASP6 disruption in SK-HEP-1 cells provides a physiologically relevant platform to dissect the roles of executioner caspases in apoptosis resistance, inflammatory signaling, and neurodegenerative-like processing within a hepatic cancer context. The polyclonal nature of the knockout population captures diverse mutational outcomes, better mimicking tumor heterogeneity and enabling studies of average population responses to drug treatments or genetic perturbations.
Specific applications include Western blotting for lamin A/C cleavage to confirm functional knockout, flow cytometry-based Annexin V assays for apoptosis quantification, MTT viability assays, and caspase-6 enzymatic activity measurements. The cells are also suitable for investigating cytokine secretion profiles via ELISA in the context of inflammasome pathway activation. For detailed technical specifications or ordering, please contact Ascent Research.
