Cell-free protein synthesis systems with extracts from cultured human cells

Cell-free protein synthesis systems have been established with extracts from cultured human cells, HeLa, and hybridoma cells. The former cell line is used to prepare extracts for robust translation, whereas the extract from the latter is primarily employed for expression of glycoproteins. Productivity of both systems can be enhanced by addition of K3L and GADD34, factors that diminish phosphorylation of eIF2alpha. The coupled transcription/translation system is also available as a convenient tool, particularly for the production of large recombinant proteins.