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.
Culp
J S
JS
Department of Protein Biochemistry, SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406.
Johansen
H
H
Hellmig
B
B
Beck
J
J
Matthews
T J
TJ
Delers
A
A
Rosenberg
M
M
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