293T Cell Line
Overview
The 293T cell line is a variant of the HEK 293 cells which were originally derived from human embryonic kidney cells grown in tissue culture. 293T cells are widely used in cell biology research for the propagation of retroviral vectors, which are tools commonly used to introduce genes into cells.
History and Development
The 293T cell line was developed in the early 1980s by researchers at Stanford University. The "T" in 293T stands for "SV40 T-antigen," which is a viral protein that the cells were engineered to express. The SV40 T-antigen allows the cells to be continually propagated in culture, making them an immortal cell line.
Characteristics
293T cells are epithelial in morphology and are adherent, meaning they attach to the surface of the culture dish. They are known for their high transfection efficiency, which is the ability to introduce foreign DNA into the cells. This characteristic makes them particularly useful for producing viral vectors.
Applications
Due to their high transfection efficiency, 293T cells are commonly used in research to produce retroviral vectors for gene delivery. They are also used in the production of recombinant proteins and for the study of gene function.
Culturing
293T cells are grown in a specific type of medium known as DMEM (Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium), supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), and antibiotics. They are typically maintained at 37 degrees Celsius in a humidified atmosphere containing 5% CO2.
Genetic Modification
The 293T cell line is genetically modified to express the SV40 T-antigen. This modification allows the cells to bypass the normal cellular mechanisms that prevent indefinite replication, making them an immortal cell line.