The KRT82 Knockout HAP1 Polyclonal Cells product consists of a CRISPR/Cas9-edited polyclonal population of HAP1 cells carrying a disrupted KRT82 gene. This pooled knockout format provides a robust loss-of-function model for type II keratin research, avoiding clonal variation. The cells are suitable for functional genomics, biochemical assays, and microscopy-based analyses of intermediate filament networks.
HAP1 is a near-haploid human chronic myeloid leukemia cell line derived from KBM-7. Its haploid karyotype simplifies genetic loss-of-function studies, as disruption of a single allele yields a null phenotype. This feature makes HAP1 a preferred host for genetic screens, including those targeting cytoskeletal components, despite its non-hair origin.
KRT82 encodes a type II keratin that is a core component of intermediate filaments in the hair cortex and nail matrix. It assembles into obligate heterodimers with type I keratins KRT31 and KRT32, linking to the desmosomal plaque via desmoplakin and plakoglobin to confer cellular mechanical resilience. KRT82 expression is transcriptionally driven by HOXC13 and FOXN1, which act downstream of canonical Wnt (??-catenin) and BMP (BMP2) pathways. Disruption of KRT82 is associated with monilethrix and other hair fragility syndromes, reflecting its critical structural role.
In the HAP1 background, which lacks hair-specific context, KRT82 knockout provides a clean system to examine keratin filament assembly, interaction networks, and biomechanics. The haploid state ensures that a single genetic hit leads to complete loss of function, enabling sensitive phenotypic readouts. This makes the model ideal for unbiased haploid screens to identify chemical or genetic modifiers of keratin-dependent pathways.
Typical experimental applications include immunofluorescence staining of keratin networks, quantitative western blot and RT-qPCR analyses, co-immunoprecipitation of keratin complexes, and atomic force microscopy to measure cell stiffness and adhesion. The polyclonal knockout cells also support high-throughput screening approaches. For more information, including custom gene editing solutions, please contact Ascent Research.
