CD44 Knockout HEK293T Polyclonal Cells are a CRISPR/Cas9-edited polyclonal knockout cell population specifically designed for the targeted disruption of the CD44 gene. This product provides a heterogeneous pool of HEK293T cells carrying CD44 gene disruptions, enabling loss-of-function studies at the population level while avoiding clonal selection artifacts. The polyclonal format is particularly advantageous for functional assays that require a representative distribution of genetic variants, offering a model system that reflects diverse knockout outcomes.
HEK293T is a human embryonic kidney epithelial cell line immortalized by stable integration of the SV40 large T antigen. These adherent cells are among the most widely used mammalian hosts for recombinant protein expression, lentivirus production, and as a model for kidney epithelial cell physiology. The robust growth characteristics and high transfection efficiency of HEK293T make it an ideal background for CRISPR-mediated gene editing, and the polyclonal knockout pool derived from this line provides a convenient and cost-effective tool for a broad range of biochemical and cell-based assays.
CD44 encodes a transmembrane glycoprotein that functions as the principal receptor for hyaluronic acid, mediating cell adhesion, migration, and intracellular signaling. Ligand engagement triggers downstream cascades including PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK, as well as Wnt/??-catenin signaling, thereby regulating cell proliferation and motility. CD44 expression is modulated by upstream factors such as TGF-??, EGF, and TNF-??, and it governs the activity of downstream effectors including AKT, ERK1/2, ??-catenin, MMP-9, and Rho GTPases. Additionally, CD44 interacts with ERM proteins, merlin, and osteopontin to coordinate cytoskeletal dynamics and matrix remodeling. Knockout of CD44 therefore disrupts hyaluronan-mediated signaling, impairing PI3K/AKT and MAPK/ERK pathway activation and attenuating cellular processes linked to adhesion and migration.
In HEK293T cells, CD44 knockout enables detailed investigation of CD44-dependent signaling pathways. The epithelial background supports studies of kidney cell biology, and the high transfectability of HEK293T facilitates transient rescue and reporter assays. This model is relevant for epithelial-mesenchymal transition research, where CD44 isoforms regulate plasticity and invasion. The polyclonal nature reduces clonal bias, ensuring robust phenotypic profiling.
This product supports a broad range of applications, including studies on CD44-mediated signaling, hyaluronan biology, cancer metastasis, cell migration, and drug target validation. Characterization can be performed using western blotting, RT-qPCR, flow cytometry, migration/invasion assays, and hyaluronic acid binding assays. Researchers are invited to contact Ascent Research for additional information or custom services.
