Expression of hepatitis B surface antigen in potato hairy roots

Transgenic potato plants with two different expression cassettes for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) expression were developed. These plants were used to induce hairy roots. The transgenic nature of the potato plants was confirmed by PCR and PCR-Southern analysis. A maximum expression of 19.11, 23.94 and 97.1 ng/g F.W. was noted in potato plants, microtubers and hairy roots, respectively. HBsAg expression in potato plants and microtubers was analyzed by RT-PCR and ELISA. The transgenic nature of the hairy roots was confirmed by PCR using rolB specific primers. B5 medium was found to be more suitable for hairy roots culture. The doubling time of the hairy roots was found to be 2.32 days. Spontaneous regeneration of plants from hairy roots was noted in hairy root line derived from pEFEHER transformed potato plants. Plants regenerated from hairy roots exhibited similar levels of HBsAg expression to that of transgenic plants. This is the first report on the expression of HBsAg in potato hairy roots.