The DNAJC1 Knockout SK-HEP-1 Polyclonal Cells consist of a CRISPR/Cas9-edited polyclonal knockout population derived from the SK-HEP-1 hepatic adenocarcinoma cell line. This product provides a pool of cells carrying targeted disruptions in the DNAJC1 gene, enabling loss-of-function analyses without clonal isolation. The heterogeneous knockout model is suitable for studying gene function in hepatocellular carcinoma research.
SK-HEP-1 is an ascites-derived human hepatic adenocarcinoma cell line serving as a well-characterized hepatocellular carcinoma model. It retains malignant properties and is widely used for investigating ER stress, drug response, oncogenic signaling, and metabolic reprogramming in liver cancer. The DNAJC1 knockout in this background permits exploration of co-chaperone biology in a pathophysiologically relevant context.
DNAJC1 encodes an ER-resident J-domain co-chaperone that activates HSP70 ATPase activity, primarily interacting with HSPA5 (BiP) to facilitate protein folding and quality control in the ER. It functions downstream of UPR transcription factors ATF6 and XBP1, and its disruption impairs ER proteostasis, triggering UPR sensors PERK and IRE1 and modulating downstream effectors including ATF4 and CHOP. DNAJC1 deficiency compromises the ER-associated degradation machinery and sensitizes cells to ER stress-induced apoptosis. Thus, DNAJC1 integrates stress signaling with chaperone networks to maintain ER homeostasis.
In SK-HEP-1 cells, DNAJC1 knockout disrupts ER protein folding capacity, exacerbating the vulnerability of hepatocellular carcinoma cells to proteotoxic stress. This model enables dissection of how ER co-chaperone loss influences tumor cell survival, secretory function, and drug sensitivity. The polyclonal nature mirrors the genetic variability that could arise upon therapeutic targeting.
Researchers can employ this knockout pool for Western blotting of UPR markers (BiP, CHOP), RT-qPCR analysis of XBP1 splicing, cell viability and apoptosis assays under ER stress induction (e.g., thapsigargin), and immunofluorescence localization of ER chaperones. Additional applications include drug sensitivity screens, protein secretion analyses, and flow cytometric quantification of apoptotic markers. For further technical information, contact Ascent Research.
