The OGFR Knockout Raji Polyclonal Cells are a CRISPR/Cas9-edited polyclonal knockout cell population derived from the human Burkitt’s lymphoma B lymphocyte line Raji, designed to ablate functional expression of the opioid growth factor receptor (OGFR) gene. This polyclonal format provides a heterogeneous pool of edited cells that collectively lack OGFR signaling, enabling robust loss-of-function studies without clonal bias.
The Raji parental line is an Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive lymphoblastoid B cell line established from a Burkitt’s lymphoma patient. It retains key features of malignant B cells, including high proliferative capacity and antigen-presenting properties, making it a valuable model for investigating B cell malignancies and the molecular determinants of lymphoma cell growth.
OGFR is a receptor that transduces signals from opioid growth factor (OGF, [Met5]-enkephalin) to negatively regulate cell proliferation. Ligand engagement promotes nuclear translocation of the receptor and transcriptional induction of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors CDKN1A (p21) and CDKN1B (p27). Consequently, CDK2/cyclin E activity is suppressed, leading to hypophosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (RB1) and G1/S cell cycle arrest. Disruption of OGFR removes these inhibitory constraints, allowing dysregulated progression through the cell cycle.
In the context of Raji B lymphocytes, endogenous OGF-OGFr signaling may act as a tumor-suppressive checkpoint. Knocking out OGFR provides a direct means to interrogate how loss of this growth-inhibitory pathway contributes to the aggressive proliferation typical of Burkitt’s lymphoma and other B cell malignancies.
Researchers can employ this model to explore OGF-OGFr-mediated cell cycle regulation, screen small molecules targeting opioid signaling, or investigate crosstalk with oncogenic pathways. Experimental readouts include immunoblotting for p21, p27, and phospho-RB1; quantitative RT-PCR; flow cytometry with propidium iodide staining; and BrdU incorporation assays. OGF treatment and immunoprecipitation experiments can be used to validate receptor-specific responses. For inquiries, please contact Ascent Research.
