ELAVL2 Knockout HEK293T Polyclonal Cells are a CRISPR/Cas9-edited polyclonal knockout population derived from HEK293T cells, designed to disrupt the ELAVL2 gene. This loss-of-function model utilizes CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene disruption to ablate ELAVL2 expression, enabling systematic study of its post-transcriptional regulatory roles. The polyclonal format delivers a heterogeneous mixture of edited alleles, representing a population-level knockout ideal for bulk functional genomic analyses without single-cell cloning.
The parental HEK293T cell line is a human embryonic kidney epithelial line stably expressing SV40 large T antigen, which confers high transfection efficiency and supports episomal plasmid replication. These features, along with robust growth and a well-characterized molecular background, make HEK293T an optimal platform for studying RNA-binding protein function, including ectopically expressed factors such as ELAVL2, in a non-neuronal context.
ELAVL2 encodes an RNA-binding protein that stabilizes AU-rich element (ARE)-containing mRNAs by binding their 3′ UTRs. In neurons, it targets BDNF, GAP43, MAP2, Tau, and Homer1, supporting differentiation and synaptic plasticity. Its activity is modulated by upstream signals including CREB and miR-124, and it interacts with ARE-binding proteins such as ELAVL1, TIAL1, and TTP (ZFP36), forming a hub in mRNA stability networks critical for neuronal function.
While ELAVL2 is neuron-specific, ectopic expression in HEK293T cells has proven valuable for dissecting its ARE-binding specificity and effects on mRNA half-life. The knockout model provides a clean background to evaluate ELAVL2??s impact on exogenous reporter constructs and to identify direct targets via RIP-seq or RNA-seq. This system overcomes the limitations of primary neuronal cultures, enabling high-throughput screens and mechanistic studies of protein-RNA interactions in a convenient cell line platform.
Applications include RNA biology research, neurodevelopmental disorder modeling, and drug screening for neuroprotection. Compatible assays encompass RT-qPCR, western blot, RIP, RNA-seq, immunofluorescence, and ARE-reporter assays. By combining this knockout with neuronal differentiation protocols, researchers can investigate ELAVL2’s role in mRNA regulation during differentiation. For technical inquiries or custom cell engineering services, please contact Ascent Research. Ascent Research provides comprehensive support for customized genome editing and cell line development.
