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Plant species and organ influence the structure and subcellular localization of recombinant glycoproteins

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Abstract

Many plant-based systems have been developed as bioreactors to produce recombinant proteins. The choice of system for large-scale production depends on its intrinsic expression efficiency and its propensity for scale-up, post-harvest storage and downstream processing. Factors that must be considered include the anticipated production scale, the value and intended use of the product, the geographical production area, the proximity of processing facilities, intellectual property, safety and economics. It is also necessary to consider whether different species and organs affect the subcellular trafficking, structure and qualitative properties of recombinant proteins. In this article we discuss the subcellular localization and N-glycosylation of two commercially-relevant recombinant glycoproteins (Aspergillus niger phytase and anti-HIV antibody 2G12) produced in different plant species and organs. We augment existing data with novel results based on the expression of the same recombinant proteins in Arabidopsis and tobacco seeds, focusing on similarities and subtle differences in N-glycosylation that often reflect the subcellular trafficking route and final destination, as well as differences generated by unique enzyme activities in different species and tissues. We discuss the potential consequences of such modifications on the stability and activity of the recombinant glycoproteins.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Genetics and Cell Biology, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria

    Elsa Arcalis & Eva Stoger

  2. Department of Chemistry, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria

    Johannes Stadlmann & Friedrich Altmann

  3. Fraunhofer IME, Aachen, Germany

    Thomas Rademacher

  4. Caliber Biotherapeutics, 8800 HSC Parkway, Bryan, TX, 77807, USA

    Sylvain Marcel

  5. Institute of Molecular Biotechnology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

    Markus Sack

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  1. Elsa Arcalis
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  2. Johannes Stadlmann
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  3. Thomas Rademacher
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  4. Sylvain Marcel
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  5. Markus Sack
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  6. Friedrich Altmann
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  7. Eva Stoger
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Correspondence to Eva Stoger.

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Arcalis, E., Stadlmann, J., Rademacher, T. et al. Plant species and organ influence the structure and subcellular localization of recombinant glycoproteins. Plant Mol Biol 83, 105–117 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11103-013-0049-9

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