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Generation of transgenic plants expressing antibodies to the environmental pollutant microcystin‐LR
Author(s) -
Drake Pascal M. W.,
Barbi Tommaso,
Drever Matthew R.,
Van Dolleweerd Craig J.,
Porter Andrew J. R.,
Ma Julian K.C.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fj.09-140848
Subject(s) - transgene , antibody , genetically modified crops , microcystin lr , recombinant dna , biology , microcystin , phytoremediation , toxin , microbiology and biotechnology , cyanobacteria , biochemistry , contamination , gene , immunology , bacteria , genetics , ecology
We describe the engineering, regeneration, and characterization of transgenic tobacco plants expressing a recombinant antibody specific to microcystin‐LR (MC‐LR), the environmental toxin pollutant produced by species of cyanobacteria. The antibody was created by a genetic fusion of the antigen‐binding regions of the microcystin‐specific single‐chain antibody, 3A8, with constant regions from the murine IgG1κ, Guy's 13. IgG transgenes were controlled by a leader peptide that targets the transgene products to the secretory pathway and also allows for rhizosecretion. The antibody, extracted from the leaves or rhizosecreted into hydroponic medium by transgenic plants, was shown to have functional binding to MC‐LR. Antibody yields in transgenic plant leaves reached a maximum of 64 µg/g leaf fresh weight (0.6% total soluble protein), and the rate of antibody rhizosecretion reached a maximum of 5 µg/g root dry weight/24 h. Rhizosecreted antibody bound to MC‐LR in hydroponic medium, and transgenic plants grew more efficiently on medium containing MC‐LR compared to wild‐type controls. This proof of concept paves the way for applications to produce diagnostic antibodies to microcystin‐LR, remove it from the environment by phytoremediation, or enhance yields in crops exposed to MC‐LR.—Drake, P. M. W., Barbi, T., Drever, M. R., van Dolleweerd, C. J., Porter, A. J. R., Ma, J. K.‐C. Generation of transgenic plants expressing antibodies to the environmental pollutant microcystin‐LR. FASEB J. 24, 882–890 (2010). www.fasebj.org