New cell line helps clarify role of sodium channel subunits

The electrophysiological properties of NaV channels are routinely determined in heterologous systems, such as human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293T, CHO, and COS cells. These systems lack endogenous voltage-gated ion channels, allowing for the precise measurement of action-potentials generated by ectopically expressed α-subunits. However, they express endogenous β-subunits, which could alter α-subunit properties and interfere with the response to ectopically expressed β-subunits.

In this study, Annabel Minard and Colin Clark used CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing to generate β-subunit-eliminated eHAP expression (BeHAPe) cells, a cell line devoid of the β/MPZ gene family. This cell line allows β-subunits to be expressed as the sole β-subunit family member without interference from endogenous β-subunits.

paper