HMOX2 Knockout HaCaT Cell Line

The HMOX2 Knockout HaCaT Cell Line is a CRISPR/Cas9-edited knockout cell line derived from the immortalized human keratinocyte HaCaT cell line, designed for loss-of-function studies of the HMOX2 gene. This product provides a constitutive disruption of HMOX2, enabling researchers to investigate the role of heme oxygenase-2 in cellular models relevant to epidermal biology and oxidative stress.

HaCaT cells are a spontaneously immortalized, non-tumorigenic human keratinocyte line originated from adult skin. They retain the capacity for normal epidermal differentiation, making them a widely employed model for studying keratinocyte biology, skin diseases, and cutaneous responses to environmental stressors. Their genetic stability and ease of handling facilitate reproducible experimental setups.

HMOX2 encodes heme oxygenase-2, an enzyme that constitutively cleaves heme into equimolar amounts of biliverdin, carbon monoxide (CO), and ferrous iron. Biliverdin is subsequently reduced to bilirubin by biliverdin reductase, providing antioxidant defense. CO functions as a gasotransmitter, modulating cell signaling and apoptosis. The enzyme interacts with calmodulin, NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase, and biliverdin reductase, and requires NADPH as a cofactor. Its activity is regulated by heme, oxidative stress, and iron-regulatory proteins. Representative pathway components include HMOX1, HMOX2, heme, biliverdin reductase, bilirubin, CO, iron, ferritin, ferroportin, and NADPH, underscoring the role of HMOX2 in iron homeostasis, antioxidant defense, and gasotransmitter signaling.

In keratinocytes, HMOX2-mediated heme degradation is particularly significant given the high exposure of skin to oxidative insults. The release of CO and iron can influence keratinocyte proliferation, differentiation, and survival, while bilirubin acts as a potent antioxidant. Disruption of HMOX2 in HaCaT cells provides a powerful model to dissect the enzyme’s contributions to cytoprotection, ferroptosis resistance, and signaling pathways relevant to skin aging, wound healing, and disorders such as psoriasis.

The HMOX2 Knockout HaCaT Cell Line is suited for applications including quantitative assessment of HMOX2 mRNA and protein levels by RT-qPCR and western blotting, measurement of heme oxygenase activity, gas chromatographic detection of CO production, and quantification of bilirubin and iron. It supports functional analyses under oxidative stress conditions using ROS detection, cell viability assays, and lipid peroxidation assessments for ferroptosis research. This knockout model facilitates mechanistic studies of heme metabolism and CO signaling in keratinocyte biology and skin-related pathologies. For further information, please contact Ascent Research.