11 - Drosophila S2 System for Heterologous Gene Expression

Abstract

Drosophila cell lines have been in use for over a decade as hosts for the expression of heterologous gene products. One of the most popular among them is the S2 line. This chapter discusses this exceptionally versatile system that has proven to be useful, both for the analysis of exogenous gene functions and for high-level protein production. This cell line has been used for the expression and analysis of intracellular, secreted, and membrane-associated proteins. This chapter focuses on the properties, expression methodologies, and key features that make the S2 line amenable to the expression. The exceptional versatility of the drosophila S2 system lends itself beautifully to a variety of potential uses. The S2 system provides an attractive alternative to mammalian expression systems for the inducible expression of recombinant proteins in a null background. The chapter concludes with the hope that applications of the drosophila S2 system toward the development screening assays will add to its many uses as an expression tool.