Expression of Recombinant Receptors in Insect Cells

Membrane bound receptors are key molecules in intracellular communication systems but structure function studies are often hampered by low level of native expression of these proteins. An essential feature of any recombinant system used to over express receptors is the authenticity of the recombinant product. The Baculovirus/insect cell expression system BEVS has been widely used to express many mammalian proteins as it has been shown to carry out many eukaryotic post-translational modifications. This paper will describe its use to over express members of the single transmembrane domain, tyrosine kinase receptor family (PDGF-receptors), and members of the G-protein linked, seven transmembrane domain family (Dopamine receptors). In particular production and activity studies on full length and truncated forms of the PDGF-receptors and comparisons made with mammalian expressed constructs will be discussed. A full pharmacological profile of recombinant dopamine receptors will be presented and the significance of variations between sub-types will be discussed in the context of possible physiological significance.