Expression of human erythropoietin in cultured tobacco cells

Human erythropoietin (Epo) cDNA was engineered for expression in cultured tobacco cells (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv. BY2). Two plasmid DNAs were constructed: pCEP, which contained Epo cDNA under control of the cauliflower mosaic virus-derived 35S RNA promoter and terminator, and pNSEP, which contained signal sequence-deleted Epo cDNA under control of the 35S RNA promoter and terminator. By using the electroporation method, each of these plasmid DNAs was transferred into the protoplasts of BY2 cells together with a plasmid, pNR35, which conferred G418-resistance on the cells. Four G418-resistant clones were obtained from protoplasts transfected with pNSEP and pNR35, and only one of them, named 11N, survived in suspension culture. Integration of pNSEP DNA into the genome of 11N cells was confirmed by Southern blot and PCR analyses. Production of Epo mRNA was shown by Northern blot analysis. Epo protein was shown to be expressed in 11N cells by colorimetric enzyme immunoassay. The productivity of Epo in the 11N cells (1 pg/g of wet cells) was very low.