Growth characteristics and expression of recombinant proteins in three new cell lines from Manduca sexta (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae).

The development of new cell lines from unusual and non-pest species may provide important source for basic research and biotechnology application.In this study,three new insect cell lines designated as QB-Ms1-8,QB-Ms2-2,and QB-Ms2-7,respectively,were established from eggs of Manduca sexta.These cells were subcultured approximately 50 passages in TNM-FH medium at 28℃.The majority of cells of the lines generally are spindle-shaped.The population doubling time of QB-Ms1-8,QB-Ms2-2 and QB-Ms2-7 cells was 51,31 and 49 h,respectively.Although these lines were insusceptible to Autographa californica multiple nuclear polyhedrosis virus(AcMNPV) with the infection rate of 33%-40% at 96 h post infection,QB-Ms2-2 cell line showed higher level of secreted SEAP production in comparison with BTI-Tn5B1-4 cell line.In this study,a SEAP high expression type cell line,QB-M2-2 was isolated from the three new cell lines established from M.sexta,which may provide a source for searching novel clones with higher production of recombinant proteins.