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Short answer
HCT116 is a human colorectal carcinoma cell line, listed by ATCC as CCL-247 and by Cellosaurus as RRID:CVCL_0291. It grows as an adherent epithelial culture and carries a KRAS G13D mutation and microsatellite instability. “HTC116” is a recorded misspelling of the same line, not a different one.
Definition and scope
A cell line is a population of cells that can be propagated in culture over many passages, and each named line is identified by its tissue of origin, donor and genotype. For other lines profiled on this site, see the K562 cell line and CT26 cell line guides. This page is about one line only: what HCT116 is, how to name it correctly, and which of its reported values to cite with care.
Origin and identity
ATCC describes HCT116 (CCL-247) as a Homo sapiens line from large intestine (colon), a colorectal carcinoma of epithelial morphology that grows adherent. ATCC states the cells were “isolated from the colon of a patient with colon cancer” and that the donor was an adult male. Cellosaurus (CVCL_0291) records the donor as male, aged 48 at sampling, with the line derived from colon in situ.
Names, synonyms and misspellings
Cellosaurus lists the recommended name as HCT 116, with synonyms HCT-116, HCT116, HCT116wt, HCT-116/P, HCT-116/parental and CoCL2. It also records misspellings, including HTC 116, HTC-116, HTC116, HTC1116 and HCT-166. Searching for “htc116” therefore leads to the same line as “hct116”.
Cellosaurus further lists HCT 116a (CVCL_R729) and HCT 116b (CVCL_R730) as originating from the same individual, and about 250 knockout derivatives from Ubigene. A knockout derivative is a distinct line with its own identifier, so name it as such in methods sections. A resource identifier such as RRID:CVCL_0291 removes the ambiguity; see the RRID dictionary entry and the entry on authentication of key resources.
Genotype and microsatellite status
Cellosaurus lists the following sequence variations for the parental line. ATCC separately notes a mutation in codon 13 of the ras proto-oncogene.
| Gene | Variation listed by Cellosaurus | Zygosity |
|---|---|---|
| KRAS | p.Gly13Asp (c.38G>A) | Heterozygous |
| PIK3CA | p.His1047Arg (c.3140A>G) | Heterozygous |
| CTNNB1 | p.Ser45del (c.133_135delTCT) | Heterozygous |
| ACVR2A | p.Lys437Argfs*5 | Homozygous |
| TGFBR2 | p.Lys128Serfs*35 | Homozygous |
| BRCA2 | p.Ile2675Aspfs*6 | Heterozygous |
| TP53 | No variation reported | Not applicable |
Cellosaurus also records the line as microsatellite unstable (MSI-high). Cell-line panels that include HCT 116 according to Cellosaurus are NCI-60, DepMap/CCLE (ACH-000971), COSMIC-CLP (905936), the AstraZeneca AZCL panel, ENCODE tier 3 and the NCI RAS-mutant KRAS panel.
Culture basics
ATCC lists the growth medium as ATCC-formulated McCoy’s 5a Medium Modified (ATCC 30-2007) with fetal bovine serum to a final concentration of 10%. The cells are adherent. ATCC also states that “growth and plating efficiency are enhanced by using a feeder layer of murine fibroblasts.” For general background on culture practice and contamination screening, see the cell culture basics guide and the guide to mycoplasma testing methods.
Where reported values disagree
The most useful thing to know before citing HCT116 numbers is that published sources do not agree, and Cellosaurus shows the spread openly. Cite the source of any value you use rather than a single “typical” figure.
Doubling time
| Source as listed by Cellosaurus | Reported doubling time |
|---|---|
| NCI-DCTD | 17.4 h |
| PBCF | about 21 h |
| DSMZ (ACC-581) | about 25 to 48 h |
| Other listed sources | 17.1 h, 18.14 h, 22 h, 25.02 h, 27 h, 36 h |
ATCC’s product page does not state a doubling time at all, so the range across Cellosaurus entries runs from 17.1 h to 36 h plus the broader DSMZ interval.
STR profile
Short tandem repeat (STR) profiling is the usual way to confirm a line’s identity. Cellosaurus gives a consensus across ATCC, DSMZ and other sources for several loci.
| Locus | Alleles |
|---|---|
| CSF1PO | 7, 10 |
| TH01 | 8, 9 |
| TPOX | 8, 9 (some sources list 8) |
| vWA | 17, 22 |
| D13S317 | 10, 12 |
| D5S818 | 10, 11 |
| D7S820 | 11, 12 |
| D21S11 | 29, 30 |
| FGA | 18, 23 |
| Amelogenin | X (some sources X, Y) |
Sources differ at several other loci, including D8S1179, D16S539, D18S51 and D19S433. For authentication, compare your profile against a named reference database and say which one.
Checklist for experimental design
The genotype table translates into a short checklist for experimental design, limited to what ATCC and Cellosaurus state.
- Record the line as HCT116 with RRID:CVCL_0291, and name any knockout derivative separately.
- Note the KRAS G13D, PIK3CA H1047R and CTNNB1 S45del variations and MSI-high status when comparing it with other colorectal lines.
- Note that Cellosaurus lists no TP53 variation for the parental line.
- Use the medium ATCC specifies (McCoy’s 5a Modified with 10% FBS) and report it.
- Report which source supplied any doubling-time or STR value.
Common misunderstandings
“HTC116 is a different line”
No. Cellosaurus lists HTC116 as a recorded misspelling of HCT116.
“HCT116 is p53 null”
The parental line has no TP53 variation reported in Cellosaurus. A p53-null HCT116 is a knockout derivative, for example the TP53 knockout listed under CVCL_D8XF, and is a different cell line entry.
“HCT116 has one standard doubling time”
Reported values range from 17.1 h to 36 h across the sources Cellosaurus lists.
FAQ
What is a cell line?
It is a population of cells propagated in culture and identified by origin and genotype. HCT116 is a colorectal carcinoma line of that kind.
What is the HCT116 cell line used for?
Cellosaurus lists it as a colon carcinoma line included in panels such as NCI-60 and DepMap/CCLE.
Is the HCT116 cell line adherent?
Yes. ATCC lists it as adherent.
Which medium does ATCC list for HCT116?
ATCC-formulated McCoy’s 5a Medium Modified (30-2007) with fetal bovine serum to 10% final concentration.
Is HTC116 the same as HCT116?
Yes. Cellosaurus lists HTC116 as a recorded misspelling of HCT116.
What are other names for HCT116?
HCT 116, HCT-116, HCT116wt, HCT-116/P, HCT-116/parental and CoCL2.
Sources
- ATCC, HCT116 (CCL-247) product page, https://www.atcc.org/products/ccl-247, checked 2026-10-29.
- Cellosaurus, HCT 116 (CVCL_0291), https://www.cellosaurus.org/CVCL_0291, checked 2026-10-29.
