The NUCB2 Knockout Raji Polyclonal Cells are a CRISPR/Cas9-edited human B lymphocyte population derived from the Raji Burkitt lymphoma line, featuring disruption of the NUCB2 gene. This polyclonal product contains a heterogeneous pool of cells with independent gene edits, enabling loss-of-function analysis of nucleobindin-2 and its nesfatin-1 peptide. It serves as a tool for investigating metabolic regulation and immune cell signaling.
The Raji parental line is an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive Burkitt lymphoma cell line, widely employed as a model of B lymphocyte biology and lymphomagenesis. Raji cells exhibit robust growth and are well-suited for gene editing, offering a platform to study antigen presentation, adaptive immunity, and viral latency. Their B cell origin provides a context for investigating the interplay between metabolic pathways and immune cell function.
NUCB2 encodes nucleobindin-2, which is processed to nesfatin-1, a secreted peptide that suppresses food intake and modulates insulin sensitivity. Nesfatin-1 signals through an unknown GPCR to activate PI3K/Akt/mTOR and AMPK pathways, and converges on melanocortin system components such as POMC and MC4R. Expression of NUCB2 is regulated by metabolic factors including insulin, leptin, glucose, PPAR??, PPAR??, and TNF??. Downstream, nesfatin-1 reduces NPY and AgRP, enhances CRH, and influences insulin secretion. The protein interacts with calcium ions and CaM kinase II, positioning it at the intersection of energy homeostasis and cellular growth control.
In Raji B cells, NUCB2 knockout allows investigation of how nesfatin-1 influences mTOR/Akt-mediated survival and proliferation, pathways often dysregulated in lymphomas. Because Raji cells are EBV-positive, this model also enables studies of viral latency programs that may intersect with metabolic regulators. The knockout population can reveal alterations in cell metabolism, apoptosis susceptibility, and proliferative capacity, providing a relevant system for exploring the crosstalk between B lymphocyte function and systemic metabolic signals.
Key applications include metabolic disease research (obesity, type 2 diabetes), cancer cell biology studies, and drug target validation. Compatible assays include Western blot, RT-qPCR, flow cytometry, and functional tests such as cell proliferation and glucose uptake. The polyclonal editing format supports diverse experimental designs while preserving natural genetic variation. For further details or technical inquiries, please contact Ascent Research.
