Effects of different glucose concentrations on growth characteristics of and protein expression in sf9 cells

Objective To study effects of different glucose concentrations on growth characteristics of and protein expression in sf9 cells.Methods The densities of sf9 cells cultured in Hyclone serum-free media supplemented with different concentrations of glucose were determined by trypan blue exclusion, and the effect of glucose concentration on cell proliferation and apoptosis rates was analyzed.The expression of human papillomavirus (HPV) type 18 L1 protein was determined by Western blot, and the effect of glucose concentration on protein expression was studied.Results The cell proliferation rates and the largest cell densities in all test groups which were supplemented with glucose were higher than those in the control group which was not supplemented with glucose.The cell apoptosis rates in two test groups with lower concentrations of glucose were lower than that in the control group, while the apoptosis rate in the group with the highest concentration of glucose was higher than that in the control group.The expression of HPV18 L1 in all test groups were more than that in the control group.The degradation of HPV18 L1 was shown in three test groups with higher concentrations of glucose.The highest expression level of HPV18 LI was observed in the group which was supplemented with glucose (15 mmol/L) after a certain period of cell culture.Conclusions Glucose can improve cell proliferation.The cell apoptosis rates are different with glucose concentrations.Suitable concentration of glucose can elevate expression of HPV18 L1. Key words: Glucose;  Insect cell;  Proliferation;  Protein expression