HEK293T cells are tumor cells that are transformed by SV40 Large T antigen

HEK293T cells are suitable for experiments we perform with genes expression in mammalian cells. The HEK293T cell is a culture cell line that is immortalized by the expression of SV40 large T antigen. SV40 is one of a species in Polyomaviridae that is a kind of DNA virus. Large T antigen of SV40 transforms cells into tumors by inhibiting p53 and Rb which are tumor suppressor gene products. Because cancerated cells can be maintained permanently if they are cultured appropriately, they are suitable for research using human cells. Since HEK293T cells grow well and are easy to treat, they are used in many laboratories around the world.