Expression of recombinant human acetylcholinesterase in transgenic tomato plants

Tsafrir S. Mor*, Meira Sternfeld, Hermona Soreq, Charles J. Arntzen, Hugh S. Mason

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

57 Scopus citations

Abstract

Enzyme therapy for the prevention and treatment of organophosphate poisoning depends on the availability of large amounts of cholinesterases. Transgenic plants are being evaluated for their efficiency and cost-effectiveness as a system for the bioproduction of therapeutically valuable proteins. Here we report production of a recombinant isoform of human acetylcholinesterase in transgenic tomato plants. Active and stable acetylcholinesterase, which retains the kinetic characteristics of the human enzyme, accumulated in tomato plants. High levels of specific activity were registered in leaves (up to 25 nmol min-1 mg protein-1 and fruits (up to 250 nmol min-1 mg protein-1).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)259-266
Number of pages8
JournalBiotechnology and Bioengineering
Volume75
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 5 Nov 2001
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • (Acetyl)cholinesterase
  • Anticholinesterase(s)
  • Enzyme therapy
  • Nerve gas (protection)
  • Transgenic (plants)

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