title: Feasibility of Pisum sativum as an expression system for pharmaceuticals.
abstract: Based on its high protein content and excellent storage capacity, pea (Pisum sativum), as well as other plants, is considered to be a suitable production platform for protein-based pharmaceuticals. Its capacity to produce high proportions of active recombinant proteins (up to 2% total soluble protein corresponding to approximately 8 mg/g fresh weight) has been proven using pea-derived strong seed-specific promoters. The active antigens produced were also stable for more than 4 years. Pea can be used as a feed additive,  up to a proportion of 30% to total feed, despite the presence of lectins. Thus, a low dosage of recombinant pea-based pharmaceuticals is non-hazardous. In addition, it is independent of N-fertilisation, has excellent biosafety characteristics and is accessible to gene transfer. Growth systems with a capacity for high yield are available for the greenhouse (5 t/ha) and, to a limited extent, also in the field (2.3 t/ha). The practicable establishment of pea seed banks allows a continuous production process. Although the use of a pea system is limited by complex transformation procedures, these advantages render pea a promising plant for the production of pharmaceuticals.
authors: Agrobiotechnology, University of Rostock, Justus-von-Liebig-Weg 8, 18059 Rostock, Germany. Heike.Mikschofsky@uni-rostock.de
authors: Heike
authors: H
authors: Mikschofsky
authors: Inge
authors: I
authors: Broer
mesh_terms: D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D058634:Molecular Farming; D018532:Pisum sativum / Q000235:genetics*; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D012639:Seeds / Q000235:genetics; D022462:Vaccines, Edible / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D022462:Vaccines, Edible