Ultrastructural features reported for HT-29 cells include microvilli, microfilaments, large vacuolated mitochondria with dark granules, smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum with free ribosomes, lipid droplets, few primary and many secondary lysosomes.
The cells express urokinase receptors, but do not have detectable plasminogen activator activity [PubMed ID: 8381394]. HT-29 cells are negative for CD4, but there is cell surface expression of galactose ceramide (a possible alternative receptor for HIV).
The line is positive for expression of c-myc, K-ras, H-ras, N-ras, Myb, sis and fos oncogenes. The p53 antigen is overproduced, and there is a G -> A mutation in codon 273 of the p53 gene resulting in an Arg -> His substitution. N-myc oncogene expression was not detected.
There is a G -> A mutation in codon 273 of the p53 gene resulting in an Arg -> His substitution.