HEK 293

HEK 293

HEK 293 cells, also known as Human Embryonic Kidney 293 cells, are a specific cell line derived from human embryonic kidney cells grown in tissue culture. These cells are widely used in biological and medical research due to their reliable growth and ease of transfection.

History

The HEK 293 cell line was generated in 1973 by Frank Graham in the laboratory of Alex van der Eb at the University of Leiden, Netherlands. The cells were derived from the kidney of a human embryo and were transformed with sheared adenovirus 5 DNA. The transformation process led to the integration of adenoviral DNA into the host genome, which contributed to the cells' ability to proliferate indefinitely in culture.

Characteristics

HEK 293 cells are adherent cells that grow as a monolayer in culture. They have a fibroblast-like morphology and are known for their high transfection efficiency, making them ideal for producing recombinant proteins and viral vectors. The cells are also used in electrophysiology studies due to their ability to express ion channels and receptors.

Applications

HEK 293 cells are used in a variety of research applications, including:

• Gene expression studies: Due to their high transfection efficiency, HEK 293 cells are commonly used to study the expression of recombinant genes.
• Protein production: These cells are used to produce recombinant proteins for research and therapeutic purposes.
• Viral vector production: HEK 293 cells are used to produce viral vectors for gene therapy and vaccine development.
• Electrophysiology: The cells are used to study ion channels and receptors in electrophysiological experiments.

Variants

Several variants of the HEK 293 cell line have been developed to enhance specific characteristics:

• HEK 293T: A variant that expresses the SV40 large T antigen, which allows for episomal replication of plasmids containing the SV40 origin of replication.
• HEK 293FT: A derivative of HEK 293T that is optimized for high-efficiency transfection and protein production.

Ethical Considerations

The use of HEK 293 cells raises ethical questions due to their origin from human embryonic tissue. Researchers must consider ethical guidelines and regulations when using these cells in research.

Also see

• Cell culture
• Transfection
• Recombinant protein
• Gene therapy
• Adenovirus