FASTKD2 Knockout Raji Polyclonal Cells are a polyclonal population of CRISPR/Cas9-edited Raji B lymphocytes with disrupted FASTKD2. This loss-of-function model represents a heterogeneous knockout pool, avoiding clonal selection, and is designed for bulk analysis of mitochondrial gene expression defects.
The parental Raji cell line, derived from an EBV-positive Burkitt lymphoma, is a lymphoblastoid B lymphocyte model widely used in immunology and cancer research. These cells exhibit antibody production and features of adaptive immunity, offering a context to examine the interplay between mitochondrial function and B cell malignancy.
FASTKD2 is a mitochondrial RNA-binding protein that stabilizes and facilitates translation of mitochondrial mRNAs such as ND6, COX1, and ATP6, encoding subunits of respiratory chain complexes I, IV, and V. It functions within mitochondrial RNA granules, interacting with FASTKD1, FASTKD3, FASTKD4, FASTKD5, PNPase, SUV3, LRPPRC, SLIRP, and the mitoribosome. Regulated by PGC-1??, NRF1, NRF2, and ERR??, FASTKD2 mediates mitochondrial gene expression downstream of biogenic signals. Its loss disrupts mRNA processing, impairs oxidative phosphorylation, reduces ATP production, and promotes apoptosis.
In Raji lymphoma cells, FASTKD2 knockout enables dissection of mitochondrial RNA processing in the context of B cell transformation. Burkitt lymphoma cells often rely on mitochondrial metabolism, making them susceptible to respiratory chain disruption. This model can reveal how FASTKD2-dependent gene expression influences survival, proliferation, and apoptotic signaling in lymphoma, linking mitochondrial dysfunction to cancer biology.
Typical research applications include investigating mitochondrial gene expression via RT-qPCR of mitochondrial transcripts, assessing OXPHOS subunit levels by Western blot, and measuring oxygen consumption with Seahorse respirometry. Additional phenotypic assays such as flow cytometry for mitochondrial membrane potential (e.g., TMRM) and apoptosis (Annexin V/PI) can be employed. RNA immunoprecipitation studies may further characterize FASTKD2-containing granules. This polyclonal knockout model is suitable for comparative studies against wild-type Raji or other FASTKD family knockouts. For further details, contact Ascent Research.
