Improving agroinfiltration-based transient gene expression in Nicotiana benthamiana.

In this paper, different strategies were assessed and optimised with the aim of increasing plant-made protein capacities in Nicotiana benthamiana using agroinfiltration. Chemical additives, heat shock and the co-expression of genes known to suppress stress and gene silencing or stimulate cell cycle progression were all proven to increase agroinfiltration-based transient gene expression. By combining the most effective of these elements a novel expression platform was developed capable of producing plant-made protein at a significantly higher level than a benchmark hyper-expression system.