Development of transgenic rice containing a mutated β subunit of soybean β-conglycinin for enhanced phagocytosis-stimulating activity

• Published in: Peptides (New York, N.Y. : 1980) N.Y. : 1980), 2010-07, Vol.31 (7), p.1245-1250
• Main Authors: Motoyama, Takayasu, Amari, Yoshiki, Tandang-Silvas, Mary Rose, Cabanos, Cerrone, Kimura, Aiko, Yoshikawa, Masaaki, Takaiwa, Fumio, Utsumi, Shigeru, Maruyama, Nobuyuki
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amino Acid Sequence; Antigens, Plant - genetics; Bioactive peptides; Biological and medical sciences; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Globulins - genetics; Molecular Sequence Data; Mutation; Oryza - genetics; Phagocytosis - genetics; Phagocytosis-stimulating activity; Plants, Genetically Modified; Protein Subunits - genetics; Protein Subunits - metabolism; Rice; Seed Storage Proteins - genetics; Soybean; Soybean Proteins - genetics; Vertebrates: endocrinology
• ISSN: 0196-9781; 1873-5169
• DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2010.03.035

Improving the nutraceutical value of rice would positively impact the health and well-being of rice consumers worldwide. Based on the three-dimensional structure of soybean β-conglycinin, we designed a β subunit with a strong phagocytosis-stimulating activity (mβ subunit). Here, we describe the genetic modification and production of rice seeds containing the mβ subunit as part of our aim to develop a food material that promotes human health. The mβ subunit folded correctly and was accumulated in the protein body II of rice seeds at a level similar to wild-type β subunit. Mutant β subunit purified from transgenic rice seeds exhibited high phagocytosis-stimulating activity, demonstrating its potential value in enhancing the nutritional value of rice.