News: Isolation And Characterization Of Soybean Allergens, Dr. Wesley Burks, 2001-2004

Released on: 01-01-2004

The goal of this project is to identify and characterize the major allergenic proteins in soybeans. We are developing materials that can be used to study and eventually treat patients with soy allergy. Our aims have been to complete the identification of the soybean proteins that cause the allergenic response in soybean allergic patients and to isolate the genes in these soybean proteins to produce recombinant soybean proteins. Additionally we are identifying soybean proteins that may be used to treat patients with peanut allergy.

In the process of this study and previous ones, we have identified three relatively small molecular weight soybean proteins that appear to be the major soybean allergens. We have been able to localize in these soybean proteins the site of the allergic response in humans. Additionally, we have bee able to identify the genes responsible for producing these soybean proteins. The soybean proteins that have been identified as allergens are primarily the seed storage proteins in the plant. The classes of storage proteins included are various glycinin, vicilin and conglutinin proteins. Interestingly, these same classes of proteins are found among the major allergens in peanuts and tree nuts.

In addition, we have worked with two other investigators to cause the gene in a soybean plant to not produce the major allergenic soybean protein. If it is ultimately possible to remove this soybean gene from the plant, it may be possible in the future to produce a significantly less allergenic soybean plant. In a related study we have used the soybean proteins that are similar to the peanut allergens to begin treatment of peanut allergic animals. In the initial projects we have been successful in treating these animals and preventing peanut induced anaphylaxis.