Efficient production of recombinant SARS-CoV-2 spike protein using the baculovirus-silkworm system

Fujita, Ryosuke; Hino, Masato; Ebihara, Takeru; Nagasato, Takumi; Masuda, Akitsu; Lee, Jae Man; Fujii, Tsuguru; Mon, Hiroaki; Kakino, Kohei; Nagai, Ryo; Tanaka, Miyu; Tonooka, Yoshino; Moriyama, Takato; Kusakabe, Takahiro

In the case of a new viral disease outbreak, an immediate development of virus detection kits and vaccines is required. For COVID-19, we established a rapid production procedure for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (S protein) by using the baculovirus-silkworm expression system. The baculovirus vector-derived S proteins were successfully secreted to silkworm serum, whereas those formed insoluble structure in the larval fat body and the pupal cells. The ectodomain of S protein with the native sequence was cleaved by the host furin-protease, resulting in less recombinant protein production. The S protein modified in furin protease-target site was efficiently secreted to silkworm serum and was purified as oligomers, which showed immunoreactivity for anti-SARS-CoV-2 S2 antibody. By using the direct transfection of recombinant bacmid to silkworms, we achieved the efficient production of SARS-CoV-2 S protein as fetal bovine serum (FBS)-free system. The resultant purified S protein would be useful tools for the development of immunodetection kits, antigen for immunization for immunoglobulin production, and vaccines.