Expression vectors comprising the mcmv ie2 promoter

Abstract

The invention relates to an expression vector comprising the promoter of the mCMV-IE2 gene, or a functional expression promoting fragment thereof, and/or an enhancer of the mCMV-IE2 gene, or a functional expression enhancing fragment thereof, wherein the expression vector does not contain any complete gene of the mCMV.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An expression vector comprising SEQ ID NO: 10, wherein the expression vector does not contain any complete gene of the murine cytomegalovirus (mCMV). 
     
     
         2 . The expression vector according to  claim 1 , said expression vector further comprising a promoter. 
     
     
         3 . The expression vector according to  claim 2 , said promoter being operably linked to a DNA sequence encoding a polypeptide. 
     
     
         4 . The expression vector according to  claim 3 , wherein said polypeptide is selected from chorionic gonadotropin, follicle-stimulating hormone, lutropin-choriogonadotropic hormone, thyroid stimulating hormone, a human growth hormone, interferons, interferon receptors, TNF receptors p55 or p65, interleukins, interleukin binding proteins, anti-CD11a antibodies, erythropoietin, granulocyte colony stimulating factor, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, pituitary peptide hormones, menopausal gonadotropin, insulin-like growth factors, keratinocyte growth factor, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, thrombomodulin, basic fibroblast growth factor, insulin, Factor VIII, somatropin, bone morphogenetic protein-2, platelet-derived growth factor, hirudin, epoietin, recombinant LFA-3/IgG1 fusion protein or glucocerebrosidase. 
     
     
         5 . A host cell transfected with the vector according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         6 . The host cell according to  claim 5 , wherein the host cell is a CHO cell. 
     
     
         7 . A process for the production of a polypeptide comprising the step of transfecting a host cell according to  claim 5  and culturing said host cell under conditions allowing expression of the polypeptide. 
     
     
         8 . The process according to  claim 7 , wherein the transfection is a stable transfection. 
     
     
         9 . The process according to  claim 7 , further comprising the step of isolating the polypeptide from the host cell or cell culture supernatant. 
     
     
         10 . The process according to  claim 8 , further comprising the step of isolating the polypeptide from the host cell or cell culture supernatant.