Expression of CTB-proinsulin in transgenic chloroplasts
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is presently recognized as the sixth leading cause of death in the United States, affecting over 20 million people. Diabetes is a condition characterized by high blood glucose due to an insulin deficiency or resistance. Type I, which comprises 5-10% of all cases, results from the destruction of pancreatic beta cells in the islets of Langerhans. The current treatment for type I diabetes is insulin administration through injection or pump. Purification, production, and storage of this insulin proves to be quite costly. By producing biologically functional insulin with oral delivery capabilities through chloroplast genetic engineering, many of these costs could be cut back. In addition, the possibility of providing the C-peptide currently lacking in commercially available insulin becomes available. The Daniell lab inserted cholera toxin B-subunit (CTB) fused proinsulin, containing three furin cleavage sites, (CTB-pins Fx3) into the tobacco chloroplasts of Petit Havana via particle gun bombardment. The insertion of three furin cleavage sites along with fusion to CTB will enable the insulin to sustain function when orally administered. Transgenic plants from the second generation were then analyzed and tested for quantification of the CTB-pins Fx3 gene. Tobacco leaves of varying ages were compared to determine expression levels. The resulting data is pertinent for future production of both orally deliverable insulin and more cost effective injectable insulin.
Notes
This item is only available in print in the UCF Libraries. If this is your thesis or dissertation, you can help us make it available online for use by researchers around the world by STARS for more information.
Thesis Completion
2008
Semester
Fall
Advisor
Daniell, Henry
Degree
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
College
Burnett College of Biomedical Sciences
Degree Program
Molecular Biology and Microbiology
Subjects
Biomedical Sciences -- Dissertations, Academic;Dissertations, Academic -- Biomedical Sciences
Format
Identifier
DP0022252
Language
English
Access Status
Open Access
Length of Campus-only Access
None
Document Type
Honors in the Major Thesis
Recommended Citation
Hickey, Ashley N., "Expression of CTB-proinsulin in transgenic chloroplasts" (2008). HIM 1990-2015. 790.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/honorstheses1990-2015/790