Increasing Protein Production in Plants Using Gene Silencing Suppressors
Author Information
Author(s): Lucas Arzola, Junxing Chen, Rattanaporn Kittipong, James M. Maclean, Karen A. McDonald
Primary Institution: University of California, Davis
Hypothesis
Does co-expressing post-transcriptional gene silencing suppressors increase the expression level of a recombinant anthrax receptor fusion protein in Nicotiana benthamiana?
Conclusion
Co-expressing certain gene silencing suppressors significantly increased the expression level of the recombinant protein CMG2-Fc in plants.
Supporting Evidence
- Transient expression of CMG2-Fc was higher in intact plants than in detached leaves.
- Maximum expression was observed with p1 co-expression at 3.5 days post-infiltration.
- Co-expression with the p25 PTGS suppressor significantly increased CMG2-Fc expression level.
Takeaway
Scientists found a way to make more of a special protein in plants by using helpers that stop the plants from silencing the gene that makes it.
Methodology
The study used Agrobacterium infiltration to transiently express a recombinant protein in Nicotiana benthamiana, testing the effects of nine different viral suppressors of post-transcriptional gene silencing.
Limitations
The study did not explore all possible suppressors and their interactions, which may affect the generalizability of the results.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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