Expression of recombinant human acetylcholinesterase in transgenic tomato plants

Enzyme therapy for the prevention and treatment of organophosphate poisonin g depends on the availability of large amounts of cholinesterases. Transgen ic plants are being evaluated for their efficiency and cost-effectiveness a s a system for the bioproduction of therapeutically valuable proteins. Here we report production of a recombinant isoform of human acetylcholinesteras e in transgenic tomato plants. Active and stable acetylcholinesterase, whic h retains the kinetic characteristics of the human enzyme, accumulated in t omato plants. High levels of specific activity were registered in leaves (u p to 25 nmol min(-1) mg protein(-1)) and fruits (up to 250 nmol min(-1) mg protein(-1)). (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.