METHYL METHANESULFONATE INDUCES A MORE THAN HUNDRED-FOLD UP-REGULATION OF CMV PROMOTER ACTIVITY

摘要

The present invention relates to a method of stimulating or enhancing transcription of a transcription unit comprising the cytomegalovirus promoter/enhancer. Said method comprises the step of treating cells or a cell free extract harboring said transcription unit with methyl methanesulfonate (MMS). The principle underlying the present invention can also be employed to enhance yields of (poly)peptide production as well as testing cells for their capability of expressing nucleic acids after antibiotic selection.