Ar. Kusnadi et al., PRODUCTION OF RECOMBINANT PROTEINS IN TRANSGENIC PLANTS - PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS, Biotechnology and bioengineering, 56(5), 1997, pp. 473-484
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.