Incorporation of regulatory DNA elements within a viral vector improves recombinant protein expression in plants.

Plants have significant potential as recombinant protein expression chassis, as they can produce complex post-translationally modified proteins that are unobtainable using prokaryotic production systems, with almost limitless scalability and substantially reduced costs relative to eukaryotic cell cultures. Transient protein expression reduces the time taken between transformation and recombinant protein extraction and purification, however low protein yields relative to conventional stable expression systems remain a major obstacle. Here, we have assessed the effectiveness of combining several established genetic components, including a promoter, 5' UTR, 3' UTR, double terminator, and matrix attachment region, to modify the TMV-based pJL-TRBO expression vector for improved recombinant protein expression in plants.

Optimising expression and extraction of recombinant proteins in plants.

Recombinant proteins are of paramount importance for research, industrial and medical use. Numerous expression chassis are available for recombinant protein production, and while bacterial and mammalian cell cultures are the most widely used, recent developments have positioned transgenic plant chassis as viable and often preferential options. Plant chassis are easily maintained at low cost, are hugely scalable, and capable of producing large quantities of protein bearing complex post-translational modification.

Genetic Manipulation of Biosynthetic Pathways in Mint.

In recent years, the study of aromatic plants has seen an increase, with great interest from industrial, academic, and pharmaceutical industries. Among plants attracting increased attention are the spp. (mint), members of the Lamiaceae family.