The ING4 Knockout SK-HEP-1 Polyclonal Cells are a CRISPR/Cas9-edited polyclonal knockout cell population of human liver adenocarcinoma origin, engineered for loss-of-function studies of the tumor suppressor ING4. This polyclonal format preserves genetic diversity and avoids clonal selection bias, making it suitable for bulk functional genomics and signaling analyses in a hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) background. The product enables stable disruption of ING4 without the need for transient gene silencing, providing a consistent model for downstream assays.
SK-HEP-1 is a hepatocellular carcinoma cell line derived from ascitic fluid of a male patient with liver adenocarcinoma. It is characterized by epithelial morphology, tumorigenic capacity in immunodeficient mice, and dysregulated p53 and NF-??B pathways commonly found in liver cancer. The ING4 knockout in this cell line thus offers a clinically relevant platform to dissect the gene??s tumor-suppressive functions in the context of HCC-associated molecular alterations.
ING4 is a tumor suppressor that interacts with p53, EP300, and the HBO1 complex to enhance p53 acetylation and transcriptional activation of apoptosis regulators p21 and Bax. It also represses NF-??B/p65 via EP400 and SMARCA4, suppressing transcription of pro-angiogenic (VEGF, MMP-2, MMP-9) and inflammatory (IL-6, IL-8) genes. Upstream factors p53, TGF-??1, and microRNAs miR-214 and miR-7 regulate ING4 expression. Consequently, ING4 disruption in SK-HEP-1 cells leads to diminished p53 apoptotic function and unleashed NF-??B signaling, culminating in increased proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis.
In HCC, ING4 loss is associated with advanced disease and metastasis. The knockout SK-HEP-1 model mirrors these features, showing enhanced secretion of MMPs and VEGF, reduced apoptosis sensitivity, and increased migratory capacity. This system thus recapitulates key aspects of ING4-deficient tumor biology, allowing investigation of therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring p53 activity or blocking NF-??B effectors.
This polyclonal knockout model is suited for a broad range of experimental techniques, including Western blotting, RT-qPCR, MTS proliferation, Annexin V apoptosis, Transwell migration/invasion, and tube formation assays. Interactome analyses via co-immunoprecipitation and chromatin binding studies by ChIP-qPCR can map ING4 complexes. RNA-seq and xenograft tumorigenicity assays enable transcriptomic and in vivo functional studies. The cells are also applicable for drug sensitivity testing, particularly for compounds targeting p53 acetylation or NF-??B pathways. For technical inquiries, please contact Ascent Research.
