The KRT20 Knockout DLD-1 Polyclonal Cells are a versatile loss-of-function model generated by CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene disruption in the DLD-1 human colorectal adenocarcinoma epithelial cell line. This product is delivered as a polyclonal knockout cell population, enabling robust investigation of keratin 20 (KRT20) function in a tumorigenic epithelial context.
The parental DLD-1 cell line was originally derived from a male patient with Duke??s type C colorectal adenocarcinoma and is widely employed as a model system for colorectal cancer biology. DLD-1 cells retain epithelial characteristics, harbor mutations in key oncogenic and tumor suppressor pathways, and are suitable for studies of differentiation, adhesion, and drug response.
KRT20 encodes a type I intermediate filament protein that is co-expressed with its binding partner KRT8 to form obligate heteropolymers, critical for maintaining epithelial structural integrity and cell adhesion. In colorectal epithelial cells, KRT20 expression is tightly regulated by transcription factors including CDX2, GATA4, GATA6, and downstream effectors of the Wnt/??-catenin pathway such as TCF/LEF. KRT20 interacts directly with KRT8, desmoplakin, and plakoglobin, and its filament network integrates with E-cadherin/??-catenin adhesion complexes. Loss of KRT20 disrupts KRT8/KRT20 intermediate filament organization, compromising desmosomal and adherens junction stability and potentially altering Wnt/??-catenin target gene expression.
In the DLD-1 background, KRT20 knockout models the consequences of impaired epithelial differentiation often observed during colorectal cancer progression. Disruption of KRT20-mediated filament networks may promote a partial epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) state, influencing cell migration, invasion, and therapeutic resistance. This polyclonal knockout population thus serves as a relevant in vitro tool to dissect the interplay between cytoskeletal architecture, cell adhesion, and oncogenic signaling in colorectal adenocarcinoma.
Researchers can apply these cells in a broad range of experimental workflows, including immunofluorescence and Western blotting for cytoskeletal protein analysis, migration and invasion assays to evaluate metastatic potential, and RNA-seq for transcriptomic profiling of differentiation and EMT programs. Additional applications include drug sensitivity screening to identify vulnerabilities associated with intermediate filament disruption and biomarker validation studies targeting KRT20-associated pathways. For technical specifications and ordering information, please contact Ascent Research.
