(1) Plant Cell Culture Technology Section, Nuclear Agriculture and Biotechnology Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, 400 085 Trombay, Mumbai, India;(2) Shantha Biotechnics Ltd., 501 401 Hyderabad, India
Abstract:
Six different expression cassettes of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) were used to transform tobacco cell suspension cultures. The transgenic nature of the cells was confirmed by PCR. The secreted HBsAg was assayed by ELISA and analyzed by Western blotting. A maximum of 31 μg antigen/l was obtained in the spent medium from the transformed cells. The use of an ethylene-forming enzyme promoter and incorporation of C-terminal endoplasmic-reticulum-retention signal enhanced the secretion of HBsAg. Salicylic or jasmonic acid at 10 μM increased secretion of HBsAg by six fold.