Efficient expression system for human antithrombin III in baby hamster kidney cells

A DNA fragment carrying the enhancer of an immediate early gene of human cytomegalovirus (hCMV) was tested as a transcriptional control element by fusion downstream of a transcription unit for human antithrombin III (AT III) driven by the Simian virus (SV40) enhancer and promoter. Measurement of transient AT III expression in baby hamster kidney cells (BHK) shows that by the presence of the hCMV enhancer the synthesis of AT III is increased considerably (three to fourfold). The AT III expression vectors carrying the hCMV enhancer were used to establish stable BHK cell-lines by a new and fast G418/methotrexate selection protocol, which express up to 12 micrograms AT III/10(6) cells/24h after 40-50 days. The given system might be generally useful for the fast expression of recombinant proteins in mammalian cells, e.g. the screening of altered AT III molecules obtained by site directed mutagenesis.