Msx-1 CRISPR/Cas9 KO Plasmid (h): sc-405732

Overview

MSX1 encodes the homeobox transcription factor Msx-1, a regulator of embryonic patterning and lineage commitment that helps coordinate epithelial–mesenchymal interactions during craniofacial, limb, and odontogenic development. Msx-1 integrates developmental signaling inputs, including BMP and WNT-associated transcriptional programs, to modulate proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis in progenitor cell populations. Dysregulated MSX1 expression or loss-of-function variants have been linked to congenital craniofacial and tooth development abnormalities, reflecting its role in morphogenesis and tissue specification. In adult contexts, altered MSX1 activity is also studied for its impact on cellular plasticity and differentiation state in developmental and cancer biology models.

Msx-1 CRISPR/Cas9 KO Plasmid (h) is a pool of plasmids designed for targeted disruption of the MSX1 gene in human cell lines. Each plasmid co-expresses a unique single guide RNA (sgRNA) targeting a distinct site within the MSX1 together with the Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 nuclease. The plasmids also encode GFP, allowing fluorescent identification and enrichment of successfully transfected cells by fluorescence microscopy or flow cytometry.

The multi-guide design increases the likelihood of generating insertions or deletions (indels) that disrupt the MSX1 open reading frame following Cas9-mediated double-strand break formation. DNA breaks introduced by the CRISPR/Cas9 system are repaired through endogenous non-homologous end joining (NHEJ) pathways, frequently resulting in frameshift mutations that abolish Msx-1 protein expression.

This CRISPR knockout system enables efficient generation of MSX1-deficient cell models for investigation of Msx-1 signaling, functional genomics studies, cancer biology research, and evaluation of therapeutic responses in human cell lines.

Key Features

• sgRNAs targeting MSX1 exon(s) critical for Msx-1 function
• Co-expression of SpCas9 and sgRNA from a single plasmid for simplified delivery
• GFP reporter for identification of transfected cells
• Pool of plasmids targeting multiple MSX1 genomic sites to improve knockout efficiency
• Compatible with delivery by transfection

Design Variants

CRISPRs +/- HDRs

• gRNAs encoded by Msx-1 CRISPR/Cas9 KO Plasmid (h) and Msx-1 CRISPR/Cas9 KO Plasmid (h2) target distinct sites within the MSX1 locus. One or both targeting designs may be available. See Related Products for availability.
• HDR donor constructs encoded by Msx-1 HDR Plasmid (h) and Msx-1 HDR Plasmid (h2) contain a puromycin resistance cassette and an RFP reporter flanked by MSX1 homology arms to support homology-directed repair at defined MSX1 target sites corresponding to the CRISPR/Cas9 KO designs. HDR donor availability may vary. See Related Products for availability.

For Research Use Only. Not Intended for Diagnostic or Therapeutic Use.