Molecular Cloning & Expression
of Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAG) in Plants

Plant genetic engineering offers the potential for economical production of valuable foreign proteins with various applications to health care. Several mammalian and/or viral proteins such as neuropeptides, blood factors, growth hormones, immunoglobulins and edible vaccines have been produced in transgenic plants.

The hepatitis B virus (HBV) S gene encoding surface antigen (HBsAg) endowed with different immunological determinants is being constructed into plant expression vectors. As antibodies against HBsAg are protective against HBV infection, a vaccine for hepatitis B virus might be produced in transgenic plants by cloning of hepatitis B virus S gene in plants by genetic engineering.

OBJECTIVES

•  Producing a cheap vaccine for HBV that can be used in third world countries.

ACHIEVEMENTS

•  The full sequence of the HBVsAg gene was synthesized and cloned into E. coli.