Virus-derived vectors for the expression of multiple proteins in plants

Abstract

This chapter constitutes a practical guide to using the “pEAQ” vector series for transient or stable expression of one or more protein(s) in Nicotiana benthamiana plants. The pEAQ vectors are a series of small binary vectors designed for controlled expression of multiple proteins in plants. To achieve high levels of expression, an expression system based on translational enhancement by the untranslated regions of RNA-2 from cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV), named CPMV- HT, is used. The expression vector pEAQ- HT combines the user-friendly pEAQ plasmid with CPMV- HT to provide a system for high-level expression of proteins in plants.