# ULK1 knockout increases recombinant transcript abundance and improves recombinant membrane protein expression

Source: [cell.com](https://www.cell.com/cell-systems/fulltext/S2405-4712(26)00261-9?rss=yes) · 2026-11-12 · Life
Page: https://themorning.science/story/ulk1-knockout-increases-recombinant-transcript-abundance-and-improves-recombinan-a34316d6c3af4007
Kind: research · Impact: medium

## In brief

- The authors present an ULK1 knockout Expi293 cell line, identified through transcriptomic analyses as suitable for membrane protein production.
- Production of three model membrane proteins in the knockout line reached up to a doubling in titer.
- Additional transcriptomics confirm ULK1 as a factor affecting recombinant transcript abundance.

## Why it matters

Membrane proteins are difficult to produce in quantity, so a cell line that raises recombinant yields could make structural and functional studies of these proteins more practical.

## Timeline

- 2026-11-12: Study published in Cell Systems

## Coverage

- [ULK1 knockout increases recombinant transcript abundance and improves recombinant membrane protein expression](https://www.cell.com/cell-systems/fulltext/S2405-4712(26)00261-9?rss=yes) — cell.com, 2026-11-12

Tags: ulk1, expi293, membrane proteins, recombinant protein expression, cell line engineering

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Brief generated by AI (claude-haiku-5-5) from the reporting listed under Coverage. Headlines belong to their publishers. The Morning Science – https://themorning.science