**9. GmPep914**

conditions and belonged to space groups P2(1)2(1)2, with unit-cell parameters a = 111.9, b = 130.1, c = 287.8 Å, and P2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 85.3, b = 137.6, c = 162.1 Å, β =

A Comprehensive Survey of International Soybean Research - Genetics, Physiology, Agronomy and Nitrogen

As part of the safety assessment of genetically modified (GM) soybean, 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis analyses were performed with the isoxaflutole and glyphosate-toler‐ ant soybean FG72, its non-GM near-isogenic counterpart (Jack) and three commercial non-GM soybean lines. Rouquié et al [9] compared the known endogenous human food allergens in the seeds of the five different soybean lines to assess any potential unantici‐ pated consequences of the genetic modification. Thirty-seven protein spots representing five well known soybean food allergen groups were quantified in each genotype. Among the various protein spots, the levels of accumulation of three allergens were slightly attenuated in GM soybean than in non-GM counterparts although all allergenic proteins were detected in the different genetic backgrounds. There was no significant rise in the level of allergens in FG72 soybean seeds which can thus be considered as

Protein P34 (Gly m Bd 30K) is the immunodominant allergen in soybean. Among com‐ mercial soy ingredients, soy flour displayed the highest P34 antigenicity (32 mg/g ex‐ tracted protein) followed by soy protein isolate (29 mg/g extracted protein) and soy protein concentrate (24 mg/g extracted protein). Among soy consumer products, soymilk exhibited the highest P34 antigenicity (from 7 to 23 mg/g extracted protein), followed by tempeh (8 mg/g extracted protein), soy infant formula (3.4 mg/g extracted protein), soy powder (2 mg/g extracted protein), and soy cheese products (0.50 mg/g extracted pro‐ tein). Korean miso, soy sauce, soy chili mix, soy nuts, soy cream cheese, soy meat patty, texturized soy protein, and soy cereal exhibited undetectable P34 antigenicity (detection limit = 0.45 ng). Selecting soybean varieties low in this allergen, or via processing, poten‐

The sera from 3 of 9 (33%) patients with outgrown soybean allergy and 6 of 9 (66%) patients with soybean allergy were classified as positive. Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-treated re‐ combinant P34 retained its structure and biological activity. Recombinant P34 is a useful tool for the analysis of antigen-specific response in soybean allergy. A modified form of recombi‐ nant P34 for the diagnosis or treatment of soybean allergy using specific immunotherapy

91.2°, respectively [8].

Relationships

242

**7. Soybean food allergens**

safe as its non-GM counterpart [9].

**8. Immunodominant soybeanallergen P34**

tially can render soybean products less antigenic [10].

techniques may be available in the future [11].

The peptide DHPRGGNY from soybean leaves, at a concentration of 0.25 nM, alkalinizes the media of soybean suspension cells, a response associated with defense peptides. Only 5 to 10 min are needed to achieve a maximal pH change. The peptide is present at the carboxyterminal end of a 52-amino acid precursor protein (Glyma12g00990) deduced from the soy‐ bean genome project. A search of the soybean databank discloses a homolog (Glyma09g36370) that contains a similar peptide, DLPRGGNY. The synthetic peptide exhib‐ its the same activity. The peptides, designated GmPep914 (DHPRGGNY) and GmPep890 (DLPRGGNY), can induce the expression of both Glyma12g00990 (GmPROPEP914) and Glyma09g36370 (GmPROPEP890) in cultured soybean suspension cells within 1 h. Both peptides induced the expression of defense genes such as CYP93A1(a cytochrome P450 gene implicated in phytoalexin synthesis), chitinase b1-1(a chitinase implicated in pathogen de‐ fense), and soybean chalcone synthase1 (Gmachs1), and chalcone synthase, implicated in phytoalexin production. Both GmPROPEP914 and GmPROPEP890 were highly expressed in the roots, relative to the aerial portions of the plant. However, treatment of the aerial portion of soybean plants with hormones involved in elicitation of defense responses revealed aug‐ mented expression levels of GmPROPEP914 and GmPROPEP890 [12].
