Biotechnology Letters, Vol.23, No.1, 47-49, 2001
Expression and long-term stability of a recombinant single-chain Fv antibody fragment in transgenic Nicotiana tabacum seeds
A functionally active anti-hepatitis B surface antigen single-chain Fv antibody fragment (scFv) was expressed in seeds of transgenic tobacco plants using genetic constructs for expression in the vacuole or the apoplastic fluid. Antibody levels close to 0.2% of the total soluble protein were found. After storage of the transgenic tobacco seeds for one year and a half a year at room temperature, the scFv maintained its antigen-binding activity in full.