INTRINSIC GLYCOSYLATION POTENTIALS OF INSECT-CELL CULTURES AND INSECTLARVAE

The glycosylation and subsequent processing of native and recombinant glycoproteins expressed in established insect cell lines and insect la rvae were compared. The Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf21) and Trichoplusia ni (TN-368 and BTI-Tn-5B1-4) cell lines possessed several intrinsic gl ycoproteins that are modified with both N- and O-linked oligosaccharid es. The N-linked oligosaccharides were identified as both the simple ( high mannose) and complex (containing sialic acid) types. Similarly, t he T. ni larvae also possessed intrinsic glycoproteins that were modif ied with O-Linked and simple and complex N-linked oligosaccharides. Ad ditionally, human placental, secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) prod uced during replication of a recombinant baculovirus in T. ni larvae w as modified with complex oligosaccharide having sialic acid linked alp ha(2-6) to galactose.