Mammalian Protein Expression Systems Support Advanced Research Applications

Mammalian protein expression systems play a central role in producing proteins that closely resemble those found in humans, supporting applications in research and therapeutic development.

These systems are capable of performing complex post-translational modifications, including glycosylation, phosphorylation, and disulfide bond formation, which are essential for correct protein folding and function. Mammalian cells such as CHO and HEK293 are frequently chosen as hosts because they can generate proteins with modifications similar to those in human cells.

Both transient and stable expression approaches are supported by mammalian platforms, providing flexibility for different production needs. Transient systems allow for rapid, small-scale protein generation, while stable cell lines enable consistent, long-term production. This adaptability makes mammalian expression suitable for a range of research and industrial purposes.

CHO cells are commonly used in large-scale manufacturing of therapeutic proteins, as they can grow in substantial cultures and perform advanced glycosylation. In addition, mammalian platforms avoid the risk of endotoxin contamination, a concern with bacterial expression systems.

What the numbers show

• Transient CHO systems can yield up to 3 g/L of recombinant protein
• HEK293 platforms report yields between 3 mg and 25 mg per 500 mL culture
• Service workflows include gene cloning, sequence confirmation, and purification

Mammalian expression workflows typically involve several steps, including gene cloning, sequence verification, small-scale transfection, scale-up in CHO or HEK293 cells, and purification of the final protein product. These processes are designed to ensure the accuracy and reproducibility of the proteins produced for research and therapeutic use.

Despite their advantages, mammalian systems are generally more expensive and require more complex culture conditions than microbial systems. Scaling up production in mammalian cells also tends to be slower, which can impact timelines for large-scale manufacturing.

The ability of mammalian systems to produce proteins with high fidelity to their native structure is particularly valuable for therapeutic development, functional assays, and structural biology studies. This feature supports the production of proteins that closely mimic those found in the human body, which is important for many scientific and medical applications.

Overall, mammalian protein expression systems provide essential capabilities for generating complex proteins with native-like properties, supporting a wide range of research and industrial needs. Their use continues to be a key component in the development of therapeutic proteins and advanced biological studies.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.