Abstract: Polypeptide sequences for inducing recombinant protein bodies are described. The sequences comprise a polyproline II (PPII) structure and/or a proline-rich sequence between two cysteine residues on either end. Recombinant protein bodies are useful for protein production because they allow for simple and efficient purification of high quantities of recombinant protein. In addition, other methods of using recombinant protein bodies, for example, in vaccination and food products, are also described.

Abstract: A fusion protein that is expressed in a recombinant protein body-like assembly (RPBLA) in host eukaryotic cells and organisms is disclosed. More particularly, a biologically active polypeptide fused to a protein sequence that mediates the induction of RPBLA formation is expressed and accumulated in host cells after transformation with an appropriate vector. The eukaryotic host cell does not produce protein bodies in the absence of the fusion protein. Methods for preparing and using the RPBLAs and the fusion protein are also disclosed, as are nucleic acid molecules that encode the fusion proteins.

Abstract: A method for forming a fusion protein that is expressed as a recombinant protein body-like assembly in host eukaryotic cells and organisms other than higher plants as host systems is disclosed. More particularly, peptides and proteins are fused to protein sequences that mediate the induction of recombinant protein body-like assembly (RPBLA) formation, are stably expressed and accumulated in these host cells after transformation with an appropriate vector. Methods for preparing the fusion protein are also disclosed.

Abstract: A nucleic acid molecule is disclosed as containing a first nucleic acid sequence comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes a ?-zein protein, or a fragment thereof, that is capable of directing and retaining a protein towards the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of a plant cell and a nucleic acid sequence encoding a peptide or protein of interest. Methods of using this nucleic acid molecule for transforming host plant cells in order to improve the production and purification of the peptide or protein of interest are also disclosed. Polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acids and produced the methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fusion protein that is expressed in a recombinant protein body-like assembly (RPBLA) in host eukaryotic cells and organisms is disclosed. More particularly, a biologically active polypeptide fused to a protein sequence that mediates the induction of RPBLA formation is expressed and accumulated in host cells after transformation with an appropriate vector. The eukaryotic host cell does not produce protein bodies in the absence of the fusion protein. Methods for preparing and using the RPBLAs and the fusion protein are also disclosed, as are nucleic acid molecules that encode the fusion proteins.

Abstract: A fusion protein that is expressed in a recombinant protein body-like assembly (RPBLA) in host eukaryotic cells and organisms is disclosed. More particularly, a biologically active polypeptide fused to a protein sequence that mediates the induction of RPBLA formation is expressed and accumulated in host cells after transformation with an appropriate vector. The eukaryotic host cell does not produce protein bodies in the absence of the fusion protein. Methods for preparing and using the RPBLAs and the fusion protein are also disclosed, as are nucleic acid molecules that encode the fusion proteins.

Abstract: Polypeptide sequences for inducing recombinant protein bodies are described. The sequences comprise a polyproline II (PPII) structure and/or a proline-rich sequence between two cysteine residues on either end. Recombinant protein bodies are useful for protein production because they allow for simple and efficient purification of high quantities of recombinant protein. In addition, other methods of using recombinant protein bodies, for example, in vaccination and food products, are also described.

Abstract: A nucleic acid molecule is disclosed as containing a first nucleic acid sequence comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes ?-zein protein, or a fragment thereof capable of directing and retaining a protein towards the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of a plant cell; a second nucleic acid sequence containing a nucleotide sequence that encodes an amino acid sequence that is specifically cleavable by enzymatic or chemical means; and a third nucleic acid sequence containing the nucleotide sequence that encodes a peptide or protein of interest. Methods of using this nucleic acid molecule for transforming host plant cells and producing the peptide or protein of interest are also disclosed.

Abstract: A nucleic acid molecule is disclosed as containing a first nucleic acid sequence comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes ?-zein protein, or a fragment thereof capable of directing and retaining a protein towards the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of a plant cell; a second nucleic acid sequence containing a nucleotide sequence that encodes an amino acid sequence that is specifically cleavable by enzymatic or chemical means; and a third nucleic acid sequence containing the nucleotide sequence that encodes a peptide or protein of interest. Methods of using this nucleic acid molecule for transforming host plant cells and producing the peptide or protein of interest are also disclosed.

Abstract: An oligonucleotide including at least one concatenation coding for a polypeptide of formula (P—K)n, wherein n is an integer of at least 2, P is a proline amino acid residue, K is a lysine amino acid residue, and the sign “—” is a bond, particularly a peptide bond, between the two amino acid residues. The n (P—K) units are also bound together by such bonds, e.g. peptide bonds.

Abstract: A fusion protein that is expressed in a recombinant protein body-like assembly (RPBLA) in host eukaryotic cells and organisms is disclosed. More particularly, a biologically active polypeptide fused to a protein sequence that mediates the induction of RPBLA formation is expressed and accumulated in host cells after transformation with an appropriate vector. The eukaryotic host cell does not produce protein bodies in the absence of the fusion protein. Methods for preparing and using the RPBLAs and the fusion protein are also disclosed, as are nucleic acid molecules that encode the fusion proteins.

Abstract: A method for forming a fusion protein that is expressed as a recombinant protein body-like assembly in host eukaryotic cells and organisms other than higher plants as host systems is disclosed. More particularly, peptides and proteins are fused to protein sequences that mediate the induction of recombinant protein body-like assembly (RPBLA) formation, are stably expressed and accumulated in these host cells after transformation with an appropriate vector. Methods for preparing the fusion protein are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for purifying a recombinant fusion protein that is expressed as recombinant protein body-like assemblies (RPBLAs) in host cells is disclosed in which an aqueous homogenate of transformed host cells that express a fusion protein as RPBLAs having a predetermined density is provided. Regions of different density are formed in the homogenate to provide a region that contains a relatively enhanced concentration of the RPBLAs and a region that contains a relatively depleted concentration of the RPBLAs. The RPBLAs-depleted region is separated from the region of relatively enhanced concentration of RPBLAs, thereby purifying said fusion protein. The region of relatively enhanced concentration of RPBLAs can thereafter be collected as desired.

Abstract: A nucleic acid molecule is disclosed as containing a first nucleic acid sequence comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes &ggr;-zein protein, or a fragment thereof capable of directing and retaining a protein towards the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of a plant cell; a second nucleic acid sequence containing a nucleotide sequence that encodes an amino acid sequence that is specifically cleavable by enzymatic or chemical means; and a third nucleic acid sequence containing the nucleotide sequence that encodes a peptide or protein of interest. Methods of using this nucleic acid molecule for transforming host plant cells and producing the peptide or protein of interest are also disclosed.