title: Localization of a bacterial protein in starch granules of transgenic maize kernels.
abstract: The B subunit of Escherichia coli heat labile enterotoxin (LT-B) is a potent oral immunogen with potential for use as a vaccine, a carrier molecule to deliver antigens to gut-associated lymphoid tissues, and possibly an adjuvant to make coadministered vaccines more effective. LT-B produced in plants was shown to be functional and immunogenic in animals and humans. In this work, we show that maize-derived LT-B is strongly associated with starch granules in endosperm. Using immunogold labeling/electron microscopy, cell fractionation, and protein analysis techniques, we observed that LT-B protein could be detected both internally and externally in starch granules. This strong association confers an effective copurification of the antigen with the starch fraction of maize kernels, thermostability desirable in maize processing, and resistance to peptic degradation in simulated gastric fluid digests, an important attribute for an orally delivered antigen.
authors.affiliation: Plant Transformation Facility, Interdisciplinary Genetics Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-1010, USA.
authors.forename: Rachel K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Chikwamba
authors.forename: M Paul
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: Lorena B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Mejía
authors.forename: Hugh S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.forename: Kan
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D013213:Starch / Q000378:metabolism*; D003313:Zea mays / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D013213:Starch