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Expression of active human interferon-beta in transgenic plants
O Edelbaum1, D Stein, N Holland
1Virus Laboratory, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Faculty of Agriculture, Rehovot, Israel.
Journal of Interferon Research
|December 1, 1992
Summary
Transgenic tobacco plants successfully produced human interferon-beta (IFN-beta). The gene
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Molecular Biology
- Plant Science
Background:
- Interferon-beta (IFN-beta) is a crucial protein for antiviral and antitumor responses.
- Plant-based expression systems offer a scalable and cost-effective alternative for biopharmaceutical production.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the stable expression of functional human interferon-beta (IFN-beta) in genetically modified tobacco plants.
- To confirm the biological activity of IFN-beta produced in plants.
Main Methods:
- Tobacco plants were genetically engineered to express the human IFN-beta gene.
- Transformation was confirmed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
- IFN-beta expression and activity were validated through Western blot analysis, purification, and bioassays in human cells.
Main Results:
- Successful transformation and stable expression of human IFN-beta in tobacco plants.
- Purified IFN-beta from transgenic plants demonstrated biological activity in human cell-based assays.
- Self-pollination of expressing plants yielded progeny with continued active IFN-beta production.
Conclusions:
- Genetically modified tobacco plants can serve as a reliable platform for producing active human interferon-beta.
- This study demonstrates the potential of plant-based systems for pharmaceutical protein manufacturing.
- Stable expression and biological activity confirm the viability of this approach for biopharmaceutical development.