Expression of the human oxytocin receptor in baculovirus-infected insect cells: high-affinity binding is induced by a cholesterol-cyclodextrin complex

Cholesterol affects the functioning of membrane proteins in the baculovirus/Sf9 cell system. The addition of cholesterol to the culture medium or to the membranes in the form of a soluble cholesterol-methyl-beta-cyclodextrin complex increases the affinity, which is proportional to the amount of cholesterol added. The expression of the oxytocin receptor in the baculovirus/Sf9 cell system is in the low-affinity state.