Regulated expression allows high level production and secretion of HIV-1 gp120 envelope glycoprotein in Drosophila Schneider cells.
We have established a stable, continuous culture Drosophila Schneider 2 cell line that efficiently expresses a secreted, truncated form of the HIV envelope gp120 protein in a regulated manner. The Drosophila produced recombinant gp120 protein is highly glycosylated, is recognized by gp120-specific monoclonal antibodies, binds to the CD4 receptor and has the ability to inhibit syncytia formation between uninfected CD4+ cells and HIV infected cells. We conclude that this recombinant Drosophila envelope protein is an appropriate mimic of the authentic viral envelope protein. Thus, the Drosophila cell provides a continuous, stable culture system for the efficient expression of secreted forms of complex surface glycoproteins in quantities sufficient for detailed analyses.
Department of Protein Biochemistry, SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406.
J S
JS
Culp
H
H
Johansen
B
B
Hellmig
J
J
Beck
T J
TJ
Matthews
A
A
Delers
M
M
Rosenberg
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics*; D006031:Glycosylation; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000254:growth & development; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010957:Plasmids; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D015699:HIV Envelope Protein gp120; D011994:Recombinant Proteins