Baculovirus Expression Vectors

Baculoviruses have proven to be the most powerful and versatile eukaryotic expression vectors available. This unique laboratory manual is designed to help both beginning and experienced researchers construct and use baculovirus vector systems. It simplifies selection of the most appropriatebaculovirus vector design for a given problem, then describes each step of the implementation process--from vector construction to large-scale protein production. The book provides an understanding of how the vectors work; a biological overview of cells, viruses, plasmids, and promoters; guidelinesfor choosing optimum vectors; protocols for growing insect cells and recombinant viruses; methods of analyzing protein products and scaling up protein production; techniques for producing proteins in insect larvae; and easy-to-use maps charting available expression vectors. This comprehensiveapproach has many benefits for researchers and students alike. It allows them to understand how and why the vector system works and offers a rapid comparison of options for choosing the right virus, plasmid or promoter for vector design and construction, with a minimum amount of lost time. Themanual is an invaluable resource for every individual engaged in the production of proteins for any purpose.

Baculovirus Expression Protocols offers both industrial and university-based researchers a comprehensive comilation of the latest baculovirus techniques along with step-by-step instructions and time-saving techniques. The contributors-leading authorities in the field-present the assorted expression plasmids currently in use, guide the reader through the process of generating and selecting recombinant virus, and describe specific examples of recombinant protein production and purification. The emphasis is on alternative and simpler screening techniques for the selection of recombinant baculovirus. The book also surveys the various insect cell lines currently compatible with the baculovirus system. Highlights include production of recombinant virus using linearized DNA and vectors that contain a b-galactosidase indicator and a complete list of expression vectors currently available. Detailed descriptions for the scale-up of protein production using spinner flasks, bioreactors, and insect larvae are also included. Baculovirus Expression Protocols offers both industrial and university-based researchers an outstanding collection of reproducible, step-by-step laboratory protocols. It will immediately become indispensable for anyone working with baculoviruses and their application in the expression of recombinant proteins in insect cells.

The third edition of this volume expands upon the previous two editions with new and up-to-date methods and protocols. Chapters include step-by-step procedures involved in quantifying cell growth, baculovirus infection and cell metabolism, methods to isolate new cell lines and develop your own serum-free medium, and routine maintenance and storage of insect cell lines and baculoviruses, small- and large-scale recombinant protein production with the BEVS in both insect and mammalian cell culture and in insect larvae, production and characterization of baculoviruses, green fluorescent protein, tubular reactors and RNAi, and baculovirus/insect cell system to study apoptosis and generating envelop-modified baculovirus for gene delivery into mammalian cells. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Baculovirus and Insect Cell Expression Protocols, Third Edition aims to not only aid the user in successfully completing the tasks described, but also stimulate the development of improved techniques and new applications of baculoviruses and insect cell culture.

The past decade has witnessed an explosion of information on the molecular biology of insect viruses and a frenzy of activity in applying this information to medicine and agriculture. Genetically engineered baculoviruses are presently being tested for commercial use as pesticides, and the study of such viruses is also revealing remarkable insights into basic cellular processes such as apoptosis. This comprehensive volume provides readers with knowledge of basic and applied baculovirology so that current literature in the field can be appreciated.

The decision to write a book about the practical aspects of the baculovirus expression system stems from the numerous phone calls for help we have had, and from the many visitors to our labora tories requiring assistance to find the elusive polyhedrin-negative virus containing their favourite gene. We have also organized two expression system workshops and from the manuals we wrote for these, it seemed a logical progression to extend them into book form. We appreciate that those who are 'old-hands' at the baculovirus expression system may have differing views on some of our procedures, but the methods in this book are presented in the light of our own experiences in the laboratory and from our practical workshops, and we hope that the book will be especially useful to those new to the system. The first three chapters give the background information to the baculovirus expression system, and includes advice on how to choose the right transfer vector and discusses the various methods that are available to select recombinant viruses. The practical chapters concentrate on those aspects which are novel to the baculovirus system (insect cell culture, virus amplification and titration, etc. ) and, in general, leave the standard molecular biological techniques to the other excellent laboratory manuals that are available. However, for completeness sake and to avoid constant reference to other manuals, we have included brief details of some standard techniques where they are integral to the success of the baculovirus protocols.

In the past ten years there has been enormous progress in the development of eukaryotic viral vectors. In general, these vectors have been developed for one of three reasons: to achieve high levels of expression of a particular gene product (poxvirus, baculovirus, and adenovirus), to clone eukaryotic genes in combination with functional assays (Epstein-Barr virus), of for use as delivery vehicles for the stable introduction of foreign genes into mammalian cells (retroviruses, Epstein-Barr virus, and adeno-associated virus). Each vector has its strengths and weaknesses that are rooted in the sometimes bewildering stra tegies that the parent viruses use for propagation. No one of these vectors is appropriate for all of the problems that a mole cular biology laboratory is likely to encounter, and few of us are knowledgeable in the molecular virology of all of these viruses. This volume represents an attempt by the authors to assem ble a review of these vectors in one place and in a form useful to laboratories that do not necessarily have experience with eukaryotic viruses. Clearly, any virus can be modified to serve as a vector for some purposes, and it was not possible to include a description of all of these. In addition, one eukaryotic vector, SV40 (the first one developed), has been reviewed so widely that we saw no reason to include it here.

This book presents advanced expression technologies for the production of protein complexes. Since complexes lie at the heart of modern biology, the expression, purification, and characterization of large amounts of high-quality protein complexes is crucial for the fields of biomedicine, biotechnology, and structural biology. From co-expression in E. coli, yeast, mammalian and insect cells to complex reconstitution from individual subunits, this book offers useful insights and guidance for successful protein expressionists. Across several sections readers will discover existing opportunities for the production of protein complexes in bacterial systems (including membrane proteins and cell-free co-expression), methylotrophic and non-methylotrophic yeasts, protozoa (Leishmania terantolae and Dictyostelium discoideum), baculovirus-infected insect cells, mammalian cells, plants and algae. Complex reconstitution from individually purified subunits or subcomplexes is discussed as a complementary strategy. A last section introduces briefly some of the biophysical and structural characterization techniques for macromolecular complexes using state-of-the-art solution scattering and nuclear magnetic resonance. This work is a guided tour over some of the most powerful and successful protein expression technologies, with a focus on co-expression and high-throughput applications. It is addressed to everyone interested in the production and characterization of macromolecular complexes, from university students who want an accessible description of the major co-expression systems to researchers in biomedicine and the life sciences seeking for an up-to-date survey of available technologies.

The completion of the Human Genome Project and the rapid progress in cell bi- ogy and biochemical engineering, are major forces driving the steady increase of approved biotech products, especially biopharmaceuticals, in the market. Today mammalian cell products (“products from cells”), primarily monoclonals, cytokines, recombinant glycoproteins, and, increasingly, vaccines, dominate the biopharmaceutical industry. Moreover, a small number of products consisting of in vitro cultivated cells (“cells as product”) for regenerative medicine have also been introduced in the market. Their efficient production requires comprehensive knowledge of biological as well as biochemical mammalian cell culture fundamentals (e.g., cell characteristics and metabolism, cell line establishment, culture medium optimization) and related engineering principles (e.g., bioreactor design, process scale-up and optimization). In addition, new developments focusing on cell line development, animal-free c- ture media, disposables and the implications of changing processes (multi-purpo- facilities) have to be taken into account. While a number of excellent books treating the basic methods and applications of mammalian cell culture technology have been published, only little attention has been afforded to their engineering aspects. The aim of this book is to make a contribution to closing this gap; it particularly focuses on the interactions between biological and biochemical and engineering principles in processes derived from cell cultures. It is not intended to give a c- prehensive overview of the literature. This has been done extensively elsewhere.