EXPRESSION OF NEUROPARSIN CDNA IN INSECT CELLS USING BACULOVIRUS VECTORS

The cDNA encoding neuroparsin A, a polytropic neurohormone of the locu st, Locusta migratoria, was inserted into the genome of Autographa cal ifornica nuclear polyhedrosis virus such that transcription was under control of the p10 promoter. A polypeptide having the same charge and the same apparent molecular weight as the authentic neuroparsin A and that was reactive against neuroparsin immune serum was produced in rec ombinant virus-infected lepidopteran cell lines bur not in control vir us-infected cells. The baculovirus-expressed polypeptide was purified by two steps of liquid chromatography (anion exchange and reversed pha se) which were previously used to purify the natural neuroparsin. The purified baculovirus-expressed polypeptide enhanced fluid reabsorption of everted rectum preparations, as did the natural neuroparsin. Thus, this gene expression system produced a polypeptide identical to authe ntic neuroparsin. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.