High-level recombinant protein production in CHO cells using lentiviral vectors and the cumate gene-switch.

Fast and efficient production of recombinant proteins for structural and functional studies is a crucial issue for research and for industry. To this end, we have developed an efficient system to generate in less than 2 months, starting from the cDNA, pools of CHO cells stably expressing high-level of recombinant proteins. It is based on lentiviral vectors (LVs) for stable transduction coupled with the cumate gene-switch for inducible and efficient gene expression.

Production and characterization of the recombinant Islet Neogenesis Associated Protein (rINGAP).

Islet Neogenesis Associated Protein (INGAP) is implicated in pancreatic islet neogenesis. INGAP peptide, a pentadecapeptide comprising amino acids 104-118, reverses diabetes in rodents and improves glucose homeostasis in patients with diabetes. The mechanism of INGAP action is unknown, but such studies would benefit from the availability of the full-length recombinant protein (rINGAP).

Cellular origins of adult human islet in vitro dedifferentiation.

Cultured human islets can be dedifferentiated to duct-like structures composed mainly of cytokeratin+ and nestin+ cells. Given that these structures possess the potential to redifferentiate into islet-like structures, we sought to elucidate their specific cellular origins. Adenoviral vectors were engineered for beta-, alpha-, delta- or PP-cell-specific GFP expression.

The cumate gene-switch: a system for regulated expression in mammalian cells.

Background: A number of expression systems have been developed where transgene expression can be regulated. They all have specific characteristics making them more suitable for certain applications than for others. Since some applications require the regulation of several genes, there is a need for a variety of independent yet compatible systems.