COS-7 is a continuous cell line derived from African green monkey kidney cells. The cell line was established in the late 1960s by Yasumura and Stulberg. COS-7 cells are a popular choice for molecular biology and genetic research due to their ability to support the replication and expression of recombinant DNA molecules containing simian virus 40 (SV40) origin of replication.
COS-7 cells are often used for a variety of purposes, including:
- Protein expression: Researchers use COS-7 cells for the production of recombinant proteins, either transiently or stably, by introducing expression vectors containing the gene of interest. The cells can then be harvested and the proteins of interest can be purified for further study.
- Transfection studies: The cells are amenable to transfection with various methods, including lipofection, electroporation, and calcium phosphate precipitation, allowing researchers to study the effects of introducing exogenous genetic material into cells.
- Gene function analysis: By introducing specific genes into COS-7 cells, researchers can study their effects on cellular processes and pathways, as well as investigate potential therapeutic targets.
- Viral replication and assembly: COS-7 cells support the replication of SV40-derived vectors, which makes them useful for studying viral gene expression, assembly, and release.
The COS-7 cell line is advantageous due to its ease of maintenance, rapid growth, and ability to support high-level protein expression. However, it is important to note that these cells are derived from a non-human source, so results obtained using COS-7 cells may not always be directly applicable to human biology.
