EXPRESSION OF A FUNCTIONAL INSECT SPECIFIC TOXIN GENE IN MAMMALIAN CELLS

摘要

The present invention discloses a novel method for the production of a properly folded, functional insect-specific insect toxin protein in eucaryotic cells. The expression of the functional protein is achieved by the fusion of the DNA sequence encoding the structural gene product to a heterologous mammalian signal peptide. In the preferred embodiment of the invention described herein, the DNA sequence encoding the insect toxin of the scorpion Androctonus australis is joined directly to the DNA sequence encoding the human interleukin-2 signal peptide. This hybrid gene is incorporated into a eucaryotic cloning vector incorporating a selectable marker. Colonies of transformed cells identified via the selectable marker were subcultured and the culture media assayed for insecticidal activity. The resultant secreted protein demonstrated insecticidal activity against Aedes aegypti mosquito instar larvae while demonstrating no toxic effects in mice.