ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the expression of plant-derived ribosome-inactivating proteins (RIP) in heterologous systems as it applies to the production of these proteins and to the study. In consideration of expressing these proteins in heterologous systems, however, several features are worth noting. The plant-derived ribosome-inactivating proteins are widely distributed throughout the plant kingdom. Considerations of proper folding and of alignment and formation of disulfide bridges supply strong arguments for expressing a naturally secreted protein as a secreted protein in a heterologous system. A yeast expression system was also used in an attempt to produce functional Ricin B chain. Since these are plant genes to begin with, it would be reasonable to assume that stable transformation of RIP sequences and their expression in plant cells is achievable. The baculovirus/insect cell expression systems are capable of producing very high yields of a recombinant proteins.
