Strengths and weaknesses of the baculovirus/insect cell system

In most cases, the baculovirus/insect cell system allows for the production of soluble, functionally active proteins at levels of up to 50% of total cellular proteins. However, as with any other system, the yields obtained vary widely and depend heavily on the nature of the protein, its complexity, and its localization. Intracellular proteins, which are naturally soluble, are generally produced well, with yields of several hundred mg/L under standard culture conditions (average cell density of 10 ⁶ cells/mL). In contrast, membrane proteins and receptors are generally produced only in very low quantities (on the order of mg/L).

• For proteins secreted into the medium,...