CHO-DG44 is a cell line derived from Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells that are commonly used in the production of recombinant proteins. It was generated by introducing a gene for the selectable marker dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) into the parental CHO-K1 cell line, followed by selection for DHFR activity in the presence of the drug methotrexate.
Unlike CHO-K1, CHO-DG44 cells have a higher rate of homologous recombination, which is the process by which foreign genes are integrated into the host cell genome. This property makes them useful for the generation of stable cell lines that express high levels of recombinant proteins.
CHO-DG44 cells have been used to produce a wide range of proteins, including monoclonal antibodies, enzymes, and growth factors. They are particularly useful for the production of complex proteins that require extensive post-translational modifications, such as glycosylation, as they have a similar glycosylation pattern to human cells.
Overall, CHO-DG44 is a widely used cell line in biomanufacturing due to its high efficiency in generating stable cell lines that express high levels of recombinant proteins with appropriate post-translational modifications.