title: Transient Expression of Viral Proteins in Plants Using Agrobacterium tumefaciens.
abstract: Transient expression of viral proteins in plants is a novel alternative to other expression platforms. The viral proteins can be used as potential vaccines or in diagnostics. Nicotiana benthamiana leaves or whole plants are infiltrated with recombinant Agrobacterium that harbor the gene of interest. Protein expression in the plants is rapid and results are obtained within 2-7 days. Here we describe how to make electrocompetent Agrobacterium, how to transform Agrobacterium, how to infiltrate leaves or plants with the recombinant Agrobacterium, and lastly how to extract the protein for analysis by gel electrophoresis.
authors.affiliation: Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch, 7700, South Africa. inga.hitzeroth@uct.ac.za.
authors.forename: Inga I
authors.initials: II
authors.lastname: Hitzeroth
authors.affiliation: Biopharming Research Unit, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch, 7700, South Africa.
authors.forename: Albertha R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: van Zyl
mesh_terms: D016960:Agrobacterium tumefaciens / Q000235:genetics*; D004274:DNA, Recombinant / Q000235:genetics; D015870:Gene Expression; D005818:Genetic Engineering / Q000379:methods*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D030821:Plants, Genetically Modified; D013997:Time Factors; D014026:Nicotiana / Q000235:genetics*; D014170:Transformation, Genetic; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D004274:DNA, Recombinant; D014764:Viral Proteins
keywords: Agrobacterium tumefaciens; Transient plant expression; Viral proteins