Insect-derived promoters for foreign proteins expression in insect cells

摘要

Insect-derived promoters for foreign proteins expression in insect cells. Regulatory polynucleotide sequences which drive the expression of major insect proteins (hexamerins) at specific evolution stages of larva have been isolated from insects (Trichoplusia ni) in the present invention. Said regulatory polynucleotide sequences promote stronger foreign gene expression in the baculovirus system than the conventional polyhedrin promoter. Additionally, the combination of the new larva-derived promoters of the invention with the pL promoter increased baculovirus expression levels up to 61%-375% (depending on the time of infection) with respect to conventional baculoviruses used in the biotechnology industry. Promoter pB2 also drives gene expression at earlier times than polyhedrin promoter, being this feature a great advantage for correct protein folding and posttranslational modification.