Recombinant protein production using the Semliki Forest Virus expression system

We report here the successful scale up of transient recombinant protein expression to litre scale using Semliki Forest Virus System. The expression of bacterial beta-galactosidase was initially compared in BHK and CHO cells and the conditions for optimal infection of BHK cells were identified. 10% FCS in a medium at pH 6.9 and infection in small volumes were found to be optimal. A high MOI results in an increased recombinant protein yield. Stirring does not affect the infection process. Finally we applied these optimal conditions to the production of a microsomal enzyme, human cyclooxygenase-2 in suspension spinners. Five independant productions at the 1 litre scale yielded reproducible substantial amounts of recombinant protein (16 mg microsomal protein 10(9) cells(-1)) with an average specific activity of 3942 +/- 765 pg PGE(2) mu g(-1) microsomal protein 5 min(-1).