Expression of the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) in Tobacco Containing Low Nicotine for the Development of Edible Vaccine

Expression of the Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) in Tobacco Containing Low Nicotine for the Development of Edible Vaccine

This study was carried out to obtain basic information for gene manipulation in potent edible tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. TI 516). N. tabacum cv. TI 516 is a plant for a possible candidate to use as an edible vaccine, since it contains a low level of nicotine. The effective plant regeneration system through leaf disc culture was achieved using a MS basal medium supplemented with 0.1 mg $1^{-1}$ NAA and 0.5 mg $1^{-1}$ BA. In order to transform the N. tabacum cv. TI 516 with the green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene, Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA 4404 containing the GFP gene was used. Genomic PCR confirmed the integration of the GFP gene into nuclear genome of transgenic plants. Expression of the GFP gene was identified in callus, apical meristem and root tissue of transgenic N. tabacum cv. TI 516 plants using fluorescence microscopy. Western blot analysis revealed the expression of GFP protein in the transgenic edible tobacco plants. The amount of GFP protein detected in the transgenic tobacco plants was approximately 0.16% of the total soluble plant protein (TSP), which was determined by ELISA.