PRODUCTION OF RECOMBINANT PROTEINS IN TRANSGENIC PLANTS - PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS

This review is based on our recent experience in producing the first c ommercial recombinant proteins in transgenic plants. We bring forward the issues that have to be considered in the process of selecting and developing a winning transgenic plant production system. From the prod uction point of view, transcription, posttranscription, translation, a nd posttranslation are important events that can affect the quality an d quantity of the final product. Understanding the rules of gene expre ssion is required to develop sound strategies for optimization of reco mbinant protein production in plants. The level of recombinant protein accumulation is critical, but other factors such as crop selection, h andling and processing of transgenic plant material, and downstream pr ocessing are equally important when considering commercial production. In some instances, the cost of downstream processing alone may determ ine the economic viability of a particular plant system. Some of the p otential advantages of a plant production system such as the high leve ls of accumulation of recombinant proteins, glycosylation, compartment alization within the cell, and natural storage stability in certain or gans are incentives for aggressively pursuing recombinant protein prod uction in plants. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.