Expression of membrane proteins in Drosophila Melanogaster S2 cells: Production and analysis of a EGFP-fused G protein-coupled receptor as a model

Methods Mol Biol. 2010:601:119-33. doi: 10.1007/978-1-60761-344-2_8.

Abstract

In the process of selecting an appropriate host for the heterologous expression of functional eukaryotic membrane proteins, Drosophila S2 cells, although not yet fully explored, appear as a valuable alternative to mammalian cell lines or other virus-infected insect cell systems. This nonlytic, plasmid-based system actually combines several major physiological and bioprocess advantages that make it a highly potential and scalable cellular tool for the production of membrane proteins in a variety of applications, including functional characterization, pharmacological profiling, molecular simulations, structural analyses, or generation of vaccines. We present here a series of protocols and hints that would serve the successful expression of membrane proteins in S2 cells, using an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)/G protein-coupled receptor (EGFP-GPCR) as a model.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bioreactors
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Line
  • Drosophila melanogaster / cytology
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics*
  • Gene Expression*
  • Genetic Vectors / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / genetics*
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu / genetics
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu / metabolism
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • Receptors, Opioid, mu
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • enhanced green fluorescent protein
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins