Biofactories: producció de proteïnes recombinants en plantes

Fins al començament del segle xxi, les plantes havien estat la font de remeis per a malalties en humans. Després, els extractes vegetals van ser substituïts per productes produïts a escala industrial per síntesi química. Durant les darreres dècades del segle xx, va aparèixer una alternativa a la síntesi química gràcies al desenvolupament de l'enginyeria genètica en bacteris, llevats i cèl·lules animals per a la producció de proteïnes recombinants. Amb el desenvolupament recent de les metodologies de transformació vegetal, les plantes ofereixen un sistema alternatiu al bacterià o al de cultiu de cèl·lules animals, per a la producció de proteïnes recombinants a baix cost i segur per a la salut humana. En aquest article il·lustrem els avantatges i desavantatges de diferents sistemes vegetals (transformació estable i transitòria), les seves limitacions i reptes. També exposem les millores que actualment s'estan duent a terme, emprant espècies diferents de plantes i sistemes diferents d'expressió per tal de consolidar aquestes factories per a la producció de proteïnes terapèutiques senzilles o molt complexes.Plants were the main source for human drugs until the beginning of the nineteenth century when plant-made pharmaceuticals were partly supplanted by drugs produced by the industrial methods of chemical synthesis. During the last decades of twentieth century, genetic engineering has offered an alternative to chemical synthesis using bacteria, yeast and animal cells as a factories for the production of recombinant proteins. With the recent development of plant-based recombinant protein production systems, plants offer a safe and extremely cost effective alternative to microbial and mammalian cell cultures. Here, we evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of different plant expression systems (stable nuclear, or transient transformations) and their current limitations or challenges. We also illustrate that current improvements in plant expression systems and plant hosts are making them suitable as alternative factories for the production of either simple or highly complex recombinant proteins

Hacia la generalización de la rehabilitación integral o arquitectónica de la edificación española

In this paper the author reflects on the need to promote a comprehensive approach to buildings refurbishment. The idea is to identify the most relevant aspects that this architectural approach should consider and the tools that would enable its full-scale implementation in the framework of the new Law 8/2013, of June 26, regarding urban renewal, regeneration and renovation. To achieve this, the participation of the architectural professionals in collaboration with public administrations is essential. This way it is ensured that interventions on the building stock are carried out considering that buildings are affected by a complexity of issues such as those related to structures, environment, energy, urban development, sanitation and accessibility. To this end, it is proposed to create a document called “Basic Seal” conceived as a comprehensive assessment report of buildings state and the possible improvements from an architectural perspective, which will necessarily have a comprehensive approach. The improvement of the quality of life of citizens, the conservation of built heritage and the reduction of environmental impact in our cities are the ultimate objectives of this approach.<br><br>El artículo reflexiona sobre la necesidad de fomentar un enfoque integral en la rehabilitación de los edificios. Se trata de identificar los aspectos más relevantes que debería contemplar este enfoque de carácter arquitectónico para la rehabilitación así como las herramientas que harían posible su implantación a gran escala, teniendo como marco de la nueva Ley 8/2013 de rehabilitación, regeneración y renovación urbanas. Para ello, se considera fundamental la participación de los profesionales de la arquitectura en colaboración con las administraciones públicas, de manera que se garantice que las intervenciones sobre el parque edificado se realicen contemplando la complejidad de cuestiones que afectan a los edificios (estructurales, ambientales, energéticas, urbanísticas, de salubridad, de accesibilidad, valores patrimoniales y culturales). En este sentido, se propone la creación de un documento, denominado sello básico, que a modo de informe evalúe de forma integral el estado de un edificio y las posibles mejoras desde un enfoque arquitectónico, que necesariamente debe tener un enfoque integral. Los objetivos finales de este planteamiento son el fomento de una rehabilitación masiva e integral del parque edificado que conduzca a la mejora de la calidad de vida para los ciudadanos, la conservación del patrimonio construido y la reducción del impacto ambiental de nuestras ciudades

Differential Protein Accumulation in Banana Fruit during Ripening

6 pages, 4 figures.-- PMID: 16668607 [PubMed].-- PMCID: PMC1080163.Banana (Musa acuminata, cv Dwarf Cavendish) proteins were extracted from pulp tissue at different stages of ripening and analyzed by two-dimensional electrophoresis. The results provide evidence of differential protein accumulation during ripening. Two sets of polypeptides have been detected that increase substantially in ripe fruit. These polypeptides were characterized as glycoproteins by western blotting and concanavalin A binding assays. Antibodies againts tomato polygalacturonase cross-react with one of these sets of proteins.This work was supported by grant ALI-88-0138 from Comisión Interministerial de Ciencia y Technologia, and grant AR/88 from the Comissió Interdepartamental de Recerca e Innovació Tocnologica Generalitat de Catalunya. E.D.-P. is a recipient of a fellowship from the Ministerio Educatión y Ciencia.Peer reviewe

The expression pattern of the tonoplast intrinsic protein γ-TIP in Arabidopsis thaliana Is correlated with cell enlargement

The vacuolar membrane (tonoplast) contains an abundant intrinsic protein with six membrane-spanning domains that is encoded by a small gene family. Different isoforms of tonoplast intrinsic protein (TIP) are expressed in different tissues or as a result of specific signals. Using promoter-beta-glucuronidase (GUS) fusions and in situ hybridization, we have examined the expression of gamma-TIP in Arabidopsis thaliana. GUS staining of plants transformed with promoter-GUS fusions showed that gamma-TIP gene expression is high in recently formed tissues of young roots. In the shoot, gamma-TIP gene expression was highest in the vascular bundles of stems and petioles, as well as in the stipules and in the receptacle of the flower. No GUS activity was detected in root or shoot meristems or in older tissues, suggesting temporal control of gamma-TIP gene expression associated with cell elongation and/or differentiation. In situ hybridization carried out with whole seedlings confirmed that in root tips, gamma-TIP mRNA was present only in the zone of cell elongation just behind the apical meristem. In seedling shoots, mRNA abundance was also found to be correlated with cell expansion. These results indicate that gamma-TIP may be expressed primarily at the time when the large central vacuoles are being formed during cell enlargement.Supported by a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (to M.J.C.), a European Molecular Biology Organization fellowship (to H.H.), and a fellowship from the Provincial Government of Catalonia (to D.L.).Peer reviewe

Les Comarques Centrals

Les Comarques Centrals es veuen fortament influïdes per l'extensió territorial de les dinàmiques metropolitanes de la propera regió de Barcelona. L'absorció per part d'una base econòmica, social i territorial pròpia dels forts impactes produïts per la immersió en una economia de creixent interdependència i complexitat, per l'arribada de nous col·lectius socials i per la implantació de models territorials mancats de la necessària base de planejament i ordenació, esdevé el principal repte per a aquesta regió.Las Comarques Centrals están fuertemente influidas por la extensión territorial de las dinámicas metropolitanas de la cercana región de Barcelona. La absorción por parte de una base económica, social y territorial propia de los fuertes impactos producidos por la inmersión en una economía de creciente interdependencia y complejidad, por la llegada de nuevos colectivos sociales y por la implantación de modelos territoriales desprovistos de la necesaria base de planeamiento y ordenación se convierte en el principal reto para esta región.The Comarques Centrals are nowadays strongly influenced by the territorial extension of the metropolitan dynamics of the nearby region of Barcelona. The absorption of an economic, social and territorial basis typical of the strong impacts produced by the immersion in an economy of growing interdependence and complexity, by the coming of new social groups and by the implantation of territorial models that lack the necessary planning base and order becomes the principal challenge for this region.Les Comarques Centrals sont fortement influencées, actuellement, par l'extension territoriale des dynamiques métropolitaines de la proche région de Barcelona. L'absorption par une part d'une base économique, sociale et territoriale et propre des forts impactes produits par l'immersion dans une économie de croissante interdépendance et complexité, par l'arrivée des nouveaux collectifs sociaux et par l'implantation des modèles territoriaux dépourvus de la base nécessaire du projet d'aménagement devient le principal défi pour cette région