Plant molecular pharming — human serum albumin (HSA) Which plant systems have successfully been engineered to synthesize human serum albumin (HSA) as a recombinant protein?

Introduction / Context:
Plants can serve as biofactories for valuable recombinant proteins, an approach known as molecular pharming. Human serum albumin (HSA), a high-demand therapeutic protein, has been expressed in several plant hosts to evaluate yield, processing, and bioactivity.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Stable transformation and transient expression platforms exist for multiple crops.
• Glycoprotein processing and targeting signals affect product quality and yield.
• Proof-of-concept production of HSA has been demonstrated in potato and tobacco.

Concept / Approach:

Solanaceous plants such as tobacco (leaf biomass) and potato (tubers) provide abundant biomass and established transformation protocols. Expression cassettes with appropriate promoters and targeting peptides direct HSA to compartments (e.g., apoplast, ER) favoring accumulation and stability.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Peer-reviewed studies and patents report HSA accumulation in both tobacco and potato tissues, supporting this selection.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Maize and wheat can express recombinant proteins but are not the canonical examples for HSA in the core literature. ‘‘Any plant’’ overgeneralizes; microbial systems are widely used but the question asks specifically about plants.

Common Pitfalls:

Assuming all recombinant proteins can be expressed equally well in any plant without optimization.

Final Answer:

Transgenic potato and tobacco plants