The MALT1 Knockout Raji Polyclonal Cells are a CRISPR/Cas9-edited polyclonal knockout cell population generated from Raji human B lymphocytes. This heterogeneous pool harbors targeted disruption of the MALT1 gene, creating a loss-of-function model for studying MALT1-dependent processes. The polyclonal format avoids clonal selection artifacts, providing a robust and representative knockout system in a suspension-adapted B cell line.
Derived from a Burkitt??s lymphoma patient, Raji cells are a suspension B lymphocyte line positive for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and constitutively expressing CD19 and CD20 surface markers. They serve as a benchmark model for B cell receptor (BCR) signaling, NF-??B pathway analysis, and lymphoma biology, maintaining the capacity for antigen presentation and antibody production.
MALT1 is a paracaspase and scaffold within the CARD11-BCL10-MALT1 (CBM) complex, which transduces signals from antigen receptors to NF-??B. Upon receptor engagement, CARD11 assembles BCL10-MALT1 filaments, leading to MALT1-mediated proteolytic cleavage of negative regulators including A20 and CYLD. This activity sustains NF-??B activation and promotes expression of survival factors such as Bcl-xL and c-FLIP. MALT1 also interacts with TRAF6, NEMO, and the IKK complex, and is subject to regulation by PKC?? (downstream of BCR) and co-stimulatory receptors like CD40 and BAFF-R.
In the context of Raji B cells, MALT1 is essential for BCR-driven NF-??B activation, survival, and proliferation. Loss of MALT1 disrupts CBM complex assembly and downstream signaling, leading to impaired induction of anti-apoptotic proteins and increased susceptibility to receptor- or drug-induced apoptosis. This knockout model enables detailed analysis of BCR signal transduction, cross-talk with EBV latency programs, and MALT1??s role in sustaining malignant phenotypes, while also providing a platform for studying autoimmune and lymphoproliferative disorders where CBM signaling is hyperactive.
Typical applications include BCR stimulation assays with phospho-I??B??/p65 Western blotting, NF-??B reporter assays, and detection of MALT1 cleavage substrates. The model is also valuable for MALT1 inhibitor screening, apoptosis profiling, and flow cytometric analysis of activation markers. For additional details, assay recommendations, or batch-specific data, please contact Ascent Research.
