Electrically promoted protein production by mammalian cells cultured on the electrode surface

Protein production of mammalian cells has been promoted by applying a small constant potential to the surface of an electrode on which cells are cultured. Human carcinoma line of MKN45 cells were cultured on the surface of a platinum-coated plastic plate electrode. Low d.c. voltage of constant potential was applied to the electrode during 4-day culture to modulate the production of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). The amounts of both secreted and membrane-bound CEA were dependent on the applied potential during culture. Secreted CEA was more than twice in amount in the potential range from 0.2 V to 0.6 V vs. Ag/Agcl as compared with that of normal culture. In the potential range, CEA was also increased in membrane-bound form. The potential-controlled cell culture may have an enhanced effect on protein production.