Genetically modified ?-amylase inhibitor peas are not specifically allergenic in mice.

ABSTRACT: Weevils can devastate food legumes in developing countries, but genetically modified peas (Pisum sativum), chickpeas and cowpeas expressing the gene for alpha-amylase inhibitor-1 (?AI) from the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) are completely protected from weevil destruction. ?AI is seed-specific, accumulated at high levels and undergoes post-translational modification as it traverses the seed endomembrane system. This modification was thought to be responsible for the reported allergenicity in mice of the transgenic pea but not the bean. Here, we observed that transgenic ?AI peas, chickpeas and cowpeas as well as non-transgenic beans were all allergenic in BALB/c mice. Even consuming non-transgenic peas lacking ?AI led to an anti-?AI response due to a cross-reactive response to pea lectin. Our data demonstrate that ?AI transgenic peas are not more allergenic than beans or non-transgenic peas in mice. This study illustrates the importance of repeat experiments in independent laboratories and the potential for unexpected cross-reactive allergic responses upon consumption of plant products in mice.

SUBMITTER: Lee RY 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3541390 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature