Overexpression of GADD34 Enhances Production of Recombinant Human Antithrombin III in Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells

To improve the production of recombinant human antithrombin III (AT-III) in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, the gene encoding growth arrest and DNA damage inducible protein 34 (GADD34), which is a transcription factor involved in the unfolded protein response (UPR), was cloned from CHO-K1 cells. Overexpression of GADD34 significantly enhanced the production of recombinant AT-III in CHO 13D-35D cells. The specific rate of AT-III production in the GADD34-overexpressing CHO 13D-35D cells reached approximately 28 pg/cell/d. After 144 h of incubation, the AT-III concentration in the culture supernatant was approximately 40% higher than that observed in the case of the parental CHO 13D-35D cells. The mRNA expression, specific activity, and fucosylation of AT-III were not affected by GADD34 overexpression. Overexpression of GADD34 is a promising method of improving the production of secreted protein pharmaceuticals in CHO cells.