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Chapter: Biotechnology Applying the Genetic Revolution: Recombinant Proteins

Expression of Proteins by Mammalian Cells

Some cloned animal genes may ultimately need to be expressed in cultured mammalian cells. To facilitate this, mammalian shuttle vectors exist that allow movement of a cloned gene from bacteria to mammalian cells.

EXPRESSION OF PROTEINS BY MAMMALIAN CELLS

Some cloned animal genes may ultimately need to be expressed in cultured mammalian cells. To facilitate this, mammalian shuttle vectors exist that allow movement of a cloned gene from bacteria to mammalian cells (Fig. 10.13). As usual, such vectors contain a bacterial origin of replication and an antibiotic resistance gene allowing selection in bacteria. These vectors must also possess an origin of replication that works in mammalian cells. Usually this is taken from a virus that infects animal cells, such as SV40 (simian virus 40). Viral promoters are often used because they are strong, producing copious amounts of protein. Alternatively, promoters from mammalian genes that are expressed at high levels (e.g., the genes for metallothionein, somatotropin, or actin) may be used. The multiple cloning sites lie downstream of the strong promoter. Since animal genes are normally cloned as the cDNA, the vector must also provide a polyadenylation signal (i.e., tail signal) at the 3’-end of the inserted gene.


Several selective markers may be used with animal cells. Very few antibiotics kill animal cells. However, the antibiotic genetecin, also known as G-418, kills animal cells by blocking protein synthesis. G-418 is related to antibiotics such as neomycin and kanamycin that are used against bacteria. The npt (NeoR) gene, encoding neomycin phosphotransferase, adds a phosphate group to neomycin, kanamycin, and G-418, which inactivates these antibiotics. Consequently, npt can be used to select animal cells using G-418 or bacterial cells using neomycin or kanamycin.

Because of the lack of antibiotics for mammalian cells, mutant eukaryotic cells lacking a particular enzyme are sometimes used for selection. The plasmid then carries a functional copy of the missing gene. This rather inconvenient approach has been used in both yeast and animal cells. In yeast, genes for amino acid biosynthesis have been used. In animal cells, the DHFR gene, encoding dihydrofolate reductase, is sometimes used. This enzyme is required for synthesis of the essential cofactor folic acid and is inhibited by methotrexate. Mammalian cells lacking the DHFR gene are used, and a functional copy of the DHFR gene is provided on the shuttle vector. Treatment with methotrexate inhibits DHFR and hence selects for high-level expression of the DHFR gene on the vector. Methotrexate levels can be gradually increased, which selects for a corresponding increase in copy number of the vector. (The chromosomal DHFR genes must be absent to avoid selecting chromosomal duplications rather than the vector.)

An alternative approach is to use a metabolic gene as a dominant selective marker. The enzyme glutamine synthetase protects cells against the toxic analog, methionine sulfoximine. The resistance level depends on the copy number of the glutamine synthetase gene. Therefore, multicopy plasmids carrying the glutamine synthetase gene can be selected even in cells with functional chromosomal copies of this gene.


 

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Biotechnology Applying the Genetic Revolution: Recombinant Proteins : Expression of Proteins by Mammalian Cells |


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