Saos-2 cells are an osteosarcoma cell line derived from the primary osteogenic sarcoma of an 11-year-old Caucasian female. These cells are a widely recognized model for studying osteosarcoma and bone biology, due to their osteoblastic characteristics and the ability to produce a bone-like extracellular matrix.

Characterized by their high level of alkaline phosphatase activity and expression of bone-specific proteins such as osteocalcin and osteopontin, Saos-2 cells serve as an effective in vitro system to study bone formation and the pathophysiology of osteosarcoma. They are particularly valuable for investigating cellular responses to various biochemical stimuli and mechanical forces that mimic the bone environment.

Saos-2 cells also exhibit an aneuploid karyotype, lacking several chromosomes but with extra copies of others, typical of many cancer cell lines. They are negative for mycoplasma and possess a robust capacity for calcification, making them suitable for assays related to mineral deposition.

In the context of cancer research, Saos-2 cells are extensively used to explore the molecular mechanisms of tumorigenesis, metastasis, and the effects of anticancer drugs on osteosarcoma. The cells are also employed to study gene expression profiles associated with osteoblastic differentiation and malignancy.

Due to their high transfectability, Saos-2 cells are amenable to genetic manipulation, which allows for the study of gene function and the validation of molecular targets for therapeutic intervention. This adaptability has facilitated significant advancements in understanding the genetic and molecular basis of bone cancer and in developing targeted treatments for osteosarcoma.