Engineering and production of the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-Cov-2 spike protein, fused with the Fc domain, in Nicotiana benthamiana plant

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has posed serious threats to global health and the economy. The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need for safe and effective vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 infection. Nowaday, many vaccines are used and developed to combat the disease. The receptor binding domain (RBD) in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 is responsible for binding of the virus to the angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor in the host cell. It contains multiple dominant neutralizing epitopes and serves as an important antigen for the development of COVID-19 vaccines. Fc promotes the correct folding of the fusion protein and enhances binding to antigen presenting cells. In this thesis study, it was aimed to produce the combined form of the RBD and Fc regions (RBD-Fc) in Nicotiana Benthamiana plant, and experimental studies in this context were carried out successfully. As a result, RBD-Fc protein was produced in N. Benthamiana plant. In addition, it was determined that the produced protein has binding affinity for the ACE2 receptor.