Lack of Detectable Allergenicity in Genetically Modified Maize Containing “Cry” Proteins as Compared to Native Maize Based on In Silico & In Vitro Analysis

BackgroundGenetically modified, (GM) crops with potential allergens must be evaluated for safety and endogenous IgE binding pattern compared to native variety, prior to market release.ObjectiveTo compare endogenous IgE binding proteins of three GM maize seeds containing Cry 1Ab,1Ac,1C transgenic proteins with non GM maize.MethodsAn integrated approach of in silico & in vitro methods was employed. Cry proteins were tested for presence of allergen sequence by FASTA in allergen databases. Biochemical assays for maize extracts were performed. Specific IgE (sIgE) and Immunoblot using food sensitized patients sera (n = 39) to non GM and GM maize antigens was performed.ResultsIn silico approaches, confirmed for non sequence similarity of stated transgenic proteins in allergen databases. An insignificant (p> 0.05) variation in protein content between GM and non GM maize was observed. Simulated Gastric Fluid (SGF) revealed reduced number of stable protein fractions in GM then non GM maize which might be due to shift of constituent protein expression. Specific IgE values from patients showed insignificant difference in non GM and GM maize extracts. Five maize sensitized cases, recognized same 7 protein fractions of 88-28 kD as IgE bindng in both GM and non-GM maize, signifying absence of variation. Four of the reported IgE binding proteins were also found to be stable by SGF.ConclusionCry proteins did not indicate any significant similarity of >35% in allergen databases. Immunoassays also did not identify appreciable differences in endogenous IgE binding in GM and non GM maize.     

Bt水稻田重要非靶标节肢动物暴露于Cry2Aa蛋白的程度分析

根据风险=危险×暴露的原理,在实验室条件下评价转基因作物对非靶标节肢动物影响时,所选择的代表性非靶标生物通常是在农田系统中较高地暴露于转基因外源杀虫蛋白的节肢动物种.为了弄清Bt稻田主要节肢动物暴露于Cry蛋白的程度,选择合适的非靶标节肢动物,用于转基因抗虫水稻的风险评价,本文采用酶联免疫技术检测了水稻不同生长期从转cry2Aa基因水稻田采集的不同节肢动物体内Cry2Aa蛋白的含量.结果表明: 不同节肢动物种体内的Cry蛋白含量差异显著.一些节肢动物体内不含Cry蛋白,而一些节肢动物体内含有较高的Cry蛋白;相对于花期后采集的节肢动物,在Bt水稻花期采集的节肢动物,特别是捕食性节肢动物体内的Cry蛋白含量较高;寄生性节肢动物体内未检测到Cry蛋白.这为在实验室条件下评价转基因水稻对农田非靶标节肢动物的影响奠定了基础.     

多年种植Bt稻后外源蛋白在土壤中的积累

外源蛋白在环境中的残留与积累是转Bt基因作物环境安全评价的重要内容之一。我国已育成多个具有商业化前景的Bt稻品系,但目前多年种植Bt稻后Bt外源蛋白是否会在土壤中积累还不清楚。本研究在同一试验田连续9年种植了转cry1Ab/1Ac基因明恢63(华恢1号)和转cry2A基因明恢63水稻,采用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)跟踪监测了分蘖期和收获后60 d根际土中外源蛋白含量变化,试验第1年(2012年)和最后1年(2020年)还测定了苗期、开花期和成熟期根际土中外源蛋白含量。结果表明: 2012年,转cry1Ab/1Ac基因明恢63在苗期、分蘖期、开花期、成熟期和收获后60 d根际土中外源蛋白含量分别为1.25、1.77、1.97、1.71和0.30 ng·g^-1,2020年分别为1.30、1.69、2.03、1.77和0.43 ng·g^-1;2012年,转cry2A基因明恢63在苗期、分蘖期、开花期、成熟期和收获后60 d根际土中外源蛋白含量分别为0.91、1.52、1.53、1.37和0.12 ng·g^-1,2020年分别为0.95、1.43、1.61、1.40和0.15 ng·g^-1。多因素方差分析显示,时间效应对Bt外源蛋白积累不显著,而品种和生育期效应显著。Bt稻生长过程中根际土中可以检测出微量的Bt外源蛋白,但收获后60 d已经基本降解完毕,根际土中Bt外源蛋白含量不会随着种植时间的增加而累积。     

大田环境下转Bt基因玉米对土壤酶活性的影响

在大田自然条件下,比较研究了转Bt基因玉米和非转基因亲本玉米在种植和秸秆分解时对土壤酶活性影响的差异。结果表明,与亲本非转基因玉米相比,在各生育期内种植转Bt玉米对土壤蛋白酶和土壤脲酶活性均没有显著影响;在喇叭口期和抽雄期,土壤蔗糖酶和土壤酸性磷酸酶活性显著提高。在秸秆还田后,两种玉米秸秆对土壤酸性磷酸酶活性的影响没有显著差异,但使用转Bt玉米秸秆的土壤蔗糖酶、土壤脲酶和土壤蛋白酶的活性则有显著提高。与亲本玉米相比,在所有观测期内,种植Bt玉米及秸秆还田对土壤酶活性的影响,在影响的幅度及趋势上随玉米生育期和土壤酶种类的不同而产生差异,但没有观测到显著不利影响;商业化Bt玉米的环境释放仍有待长期定位观测和评价。     

Community Structure of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Rhizospheric Soil of a Transgenic High-Methionine Soybean and a Near Isogenic Variety

The use of transgenic plants in agriculture provides many economic benefits, but it also raises concerns over the potential impact of transgenic plants on the environment. We here examined the impact of transgenic high-methionine soybean ZD91 on the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal community structure in rhizosphere soil. Our investigations based on clone libraries were conducted in field trials at four growth stages of the crops each year from 2012 to 2013. A total of 155 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of AM fungi were identified based on the sequences of small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) genes. There were no significant differences found in AM fungal diversity in rhizosphere soil during the same growth stage between transgenic soybean ZD91 and its non-transgenic parental soybean ZD. In addition, plant growth stage and year had the strongest effect on the AM fungal community structure while the genetically modified (GM) trait studied was the least explanatory factor. In conclusion, we found no indication that transgenic soybean ZD91 cultivation poses a risk for AM fungal communities in agricultural soils.     

Environmental risk assessment of transgenic miraculin-accumulating tomato in a confined field trial in Japan

The commercial use of genetically modified (GM) crops requires prior assessment of the risks to the environment when these crops are grown in the field or distributed. Assessments protocols vary across countries and GM crop events, but there is a common need to assess environmental biosafety. In this study, we conducted an environmental risk assessment in a confined field of GM tomato plants that can produce miraculin, a taste-altering protein that causes sour tastes to be perceived as sweet, for practical use in Japan. The evaluation was conducted for 1) competitiveness (the ability to compete with wild plants for nutrients, sunlight, and growing areas and prevent their growth) and 2) the production of toxic substances (the ability to produce substances that interfere with the habitat and growth of wild plants, animals, and microorganisms). Investigations of plant morphology and growth characteristics as well as tolerance to low temperature during early growth and overwintering for assessment endpoints related to competitiveness showed no biologically meaningful difference between GM tomato and non-GM tomato. In addition, harmful substances in plant residues and root secretions were assessed by the plow-in method, succeeding crop test and soil microflora tests, and it was determined that GM tomato does not exhibit an increase in harmful substances. Based on these results, it was concluded that GM miraculin-accumulating tomato is comparable to conventional tomato and is unlikely to have unintended adverse effects in the natural environment of Japan.     

基因拆分技术的理论基础及其在限控转基因飘流中的应用

随着转基因作物种植面积的逐年增长,转基因安全性问题引起越来越多的争论,其中花粉扩散引起的转基因向近缘种飘流的问题是人们关注的焦点问题之一。基因拆分技术为采用生物学措施控制转基因飘流提供了新的思路和途径。基因拆分技术是基于内含肽intein介导的蛋白剪接功能而建立起来的。目前已在拟南芥、烟草、小麦等作物中证明多个基因拆分后能重新组装成有活性的功能蛋白,这为通过基因拆分技术控制转基因飘流提供了理论基础和实验支撑。本文对基因拆分技术的理论基础及其用于限控转基因飘流方面的研究进展进行了综述。     

Surveying of pollen-mediated crop-to-crop gene flow from a wheat field trial as a biosafety measure

Outcrosses from genetically modified (GM) to conventional crops by pollen-mediated gene flow (PMGF) are a concern when growing GM crops close to non-GM fields. This also applies to the experimental releases of GM plants in field trials. Therefore, biosafety measures such as isolation distances and surveying of PMGF are required by the regulatory authorities in Switzerland. For two and three years, respectively, we monitored crop-to-crop PMGF from GM wheat field trials in two locations in Switzerland. The pollen donors were two GM spring wheat lines with enhanced fungal resistance and a herbicide tolerance as a selection marker. Seeds from the experimental plots were sampled to test the detection method for outcrosses. Two outcrosses were found adjacent to a transgenic plot within the experimental area. For the survey of PMGF, pollen receptor plots of the conventional wheat variety Frisal used for transformation were planted in the border crop and around the experimental field up to a distance of 200 m. Although the environmental conditions were favorable and the donor and receptor plots flowered at the same time, only three outcrosses were found in approximately 185,000 tested seedlings from seeds collected outside the experimental area. All three hybrids were found in the border crop surrounding the experimental area, but none outside the field. We conclude that a pollen barrier (border crop) and an additional isolation distance of 5 m is a sufficient measure to reduce PMGF from a GM wheat field trial to cleistogamous varieties in commercial fields below a level that can be detected.     

Presence of potential allergy-related linear epitopes in novel proteins from conventional crops and the implication for the safety assessment of these crops with respect to the current testing of genetically modified crops

Mitochondria of cytoplasmic male sterile crop plants contain novel, chimeric open reading frames. In addition, a number of crops carry endogenous double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA). In this study, the novel proteins encoded by these genetic components were screened for the presence of potential binding sites (epitopes) of allergy-associated IgE antibodies, as was previously done with transgenic proteins from genetically modified crops. The procedure entails the identification of stretches of at least six contiguous amino acids that are shared by novel proteins and known allergenic proteins. These stretches are further checked for potential linear IgE-binding epitopes. Of the 16 novel protein sequences screened in this study, nine contained stretches of six or seven amino acids that were also present in allergenic proteins. Four cases of similarity are of special interest, given the predicted antigenicity of the identical stretch within the allergenic and novel protein, the IgE-binding by a peptide containing an identical stretch reported in literature, or the multiple incidence of identical stretches of the same allergen within a novel protein. These selected stretches are present in novel proteins derived from oilseed rape and radish (ORF138), rice (dsRNA), and fava bean (dsRNA), and warrant further clinical testing. The frequency of positive outcomes and the sizes of the identical stretches were comparable to those previously found for transgenic proteins in genetically modified crops. It is discussed whether novel proteins from conventional crops should be subject to an assessment of potential allergenicity, a procedure which is currently mandatory for transgenic proteins from genetically modified crops.     

The ecological risks of transgenic plants.

Biotechnologies have been utilized "ante litteram" for thousands of years to produce food and drink and genetic engineering techniques have been widely applied to produce many compounds for human use, from insulin to other medicines. The debate on genetically modified (GM) organisms broke out all over the world only when GM crops were released into the field. Plant ecologists, microbiologists and population geneticists carried out experiments aimed at evaluating the environmental impact of GM crops. The most significant findings concern: the spread of transgenes through GM pollen diffusion and its environmental impact after hybridisation with closely related wild species or subspecies; horizontal gene transfer from transgenic plants to soil microbes; the impact of insecticide proteins released into the soil by transformed plants on non-target microbial soil communities. Recent developments in genetic engineering produced a technology, dubbed "Terminator", which protects patented genes introduced in transgenic plants by killing the seeds in the second generation. This genetic construct, which interferes so heavily with fundamental life processes, is considered dangerous and should be ex-ante evaluated taking into account the data on "unexpected events", as here discussed, instead of relying on the "safe until proven otherwise" claim. Awareness that scientists, biotechnologists and genetic engineers cannot answer the fundamental question "how likely is that transgenes will be transferred from cultivated plants into the natural environment?" should foster long-term studies on the ecological risks and benefits of transgenic crops.     

Remote sensing as a data source to analyse regional implications of genetically modified plants in agriculture—Oilseed rape (Brassica napus) in Northern Germany

Remote sensing permits the identification of locations and area extent where particular crops are cultivated across larger regions. This requires the availability of crop- and region-specific algorithms. We developed an approach to identify oilseed rape fields in Northern Germany. The remote sensing data sources and main processing steps are described. The derived cultivation density information provides an overview of the fine-scale spatial structure and crop neighbourhood relations in Northern Germany as one of the main oilseed rape cultivation regions in Europe. Geographical Information System (GIS) analyses involving buffer operations allowed to identify those parts of the region, where the highest interaction potential of GM crops and conventional crops would occur if GM varieties were admitted for cultivation. Cultivation density and field sizes in combination were used to indicate the interaction intensity as a marker for observation requirement (environmental monitoring) and for those potential risks that relate to density parameter. Conclusions can be drawn for the feasibility of coexistence measures when neighbouring farmers have to co-operate to keep separation distances between GM crop cultivation and conventional varieties. Together with other data sources, the results of satellite image analysis can be used as input data for up-scaling small-scale model results. Remote sensing data allow to specify, which field density parameter must be chosen to cover the regional variability of cultivation conditions, in particular the regional distribution of field sizes and field density.     

转cry1Ac／cpti基因水稻对土壤酶活性和养分有效性的影响

【背景】转基因作物可能通过根系分泌物和植株残体组成的改变对土壤酶活性和养分转化产生影响,转基因作物对土壤质量的影响是其环境安全性评价的重要方面。【方法】本研究通过田间定位试验分析了连续3a种植2种转crylAc／cpti双价抗虫基因水稻后,土壤酶活性和养分有效性等土壤质量性状的变化。【结果】在水稻各生育期内,除齐穗期转基因稻科丰8号（GM1）田的土壤酸性磷酸酶活性显著（P〈0．05）高于其受体非转基因稻明恢86（CK1）外,转基因稻GM1、GM2（Ⅱ优科丰8号）的土壤酸性磷酸酶、碱性磷酸酶和脲酶活性与对应非转基因稻CK1、CK2（Ⅱ优明恢86）间均无显著差异。同时,在水稻生长过程中,土壤pH、有机质、有效氮、有效磷和速效钾等土壤理化指标在GM1和CK1或GM2和CK2间也均无显著差异。【结论与意义】连续38种植转crylAc／cpti双价抗虫基因水稻并未改变稻田土壤中主要营养元素的有效性及其相关土壤酶活性,即短期内种植转crylAc／cpti双价抗虫基因水稻不会影响土壤酶活性和养分状况。该结果为进一步评价转基因水稻的生态风险提供了一定的依据。     

An oligonucleotide array to detect genetically modified events in potato

For rapid and simultaneous detection of transgenic elements in genetically modified (GM) food crops, we explored DNA array technology. Forty-four oligonucleotide 23-to 31-mers were selected to use in an array on the basis of melting temperature and sequence specificity. Selected oligonucleotides consisted of DNA fragments corresponding to structural and regulatory elements and selectable markers used in developing transgenic crops, such as potato. Other oligonucleotides represented endogenous genes from potato to serve as positive controls and from heterologous crops, such as soybean and canola, to serve as negative controls. Amino-terminated oligonucleotides were hand-spotted on activated nylon membrane with a commercial spotting device. Target DNA was isolated from foliage of transgenic and nontransgenic crops, including potato, and labeled with digoxigenin-dUTP by random priming following restriction digestion to reduce DNA fragment size. Hybridization signals were visualized by an alkaline phosphatase anti-DIG-Fab conjugate and the chemiluminescent substrate, CDP-star. We detected the presence or absence of transgenic elements in transgenic and nontransgenic potato samples. Preliminary studies demonstrated that more specific and sensitive hybridization signals were generated from an oligonucleotide probe array than from a PCR product array. We anticipate that oligonucleotide probe arrays will be useful for regulatory monitoring of transgenic events.     

提高转基因作物生物安全性的分子策略

随着各类转基因作物的问世及其农产品的不断上市,转基因作物的安全性问题已成为公众关心的焦点。综述了提高转基因作物生物安全性的几种分子策略,其中包括选择标记的去除,转基因的组织特异表达和诱导性表达以及转基因逃逸的控制等。     

Effects of transgenic rootstocks on growth and development of non-transgenic scion cultivars in apple

Although cultivation of genetic modified (GM) annual crops has been steadily increasing in the recent 10 years, the commercial cultivation of GM fruit tree is still very limited and reports of field trials on GM fruit trees are rare. This is probably because development and evaluation of GM fruit trees require a long period of time due to long life cycles of trees. In this study, we report results from a field trial on three rolB transgenic dwarfing apple rootstocks of M26 and M9 together with non-transgenic controls grafted with five non-transgenic scion cultivars. We intended to investigate the effects of transgenic rootstock on non-transgenic scion cultivars under natural conditions as well as to evaluate the potential value of using the rolB gene to modify difficult-to-root rootstocks of fruit trees. The results showed that all rolB transgenic rootstocks significantly reduced vegetative growth including tree height regardless of scion cultivar, compared with the non-transgenic rootstocks. Flowering and fruiting were also decreased for cultivars grown on the transgenic rootstocks in most cases, but the fruit quality was not clearly affected by the transgenic rootstocks. Cutting experiment and RT-PCR analysis showed that the rolB gene was stably expressed under field conditions. PCR and RT-PCR analyses displayed that the rolB gene or its mRNA were not detectable in the scion cultivars, indicating no translocation of the transgene or its mRNA from rootstock to scion. Our results suggest that rolB modified rootstocks should be used in combination with vigorous scion cultivars in order to obtain sufficient vegetative growth and good yield. Alternatively, the rolB gene could be used to dwarf vigorous rootstocks of fruit trees or produce bonzai plants as it can significantly reduce the vegetative growth of plants.     

A 2-year field trial reveals no significant effects of GM high-methionine soybean on the rhizosphere bacterial communities

Genetically modified (GM) crops have brought various economic benefits but may also have adversely affected soil microorganisms. To examine whether transgenic high-methionine soybean ZD91 alters the bacterial community structure in the rhizosphere, we performed a 2-year follow-up study using the transgenic high-methionine soybean cultivar ZD91 and wild type cultivar ZD. The community composition and the relative abundance of bacteria in rhizosphere soil were determined by sequencing of the 16S rRNA amplicon. Our results indicated that transgenic soybean ZD91 had no significantly effects on rhizosphere bacterial communities. Instead, the plant growth stage and year appeared to have a stronger effect on bacterial communities. Our findings therefore provided reliable scientific evidence for potential commercial cultivation of cultivar ZD91.     

Proteomics insight into the biological safety of transgenic modification of rice as compared with conventional genetic breeding and spontaneous genotypic variation

The potential of unintended effects caused by transgenic events is a key issue in the commercialization of genetically modified (GM) crops. To investigate whether transgenic events cause unintended effects, we used comparative proteomics approaches to evaluate proteome differences in seeds from 2 sets of GM indica rice, herbicide-resistant Bar68-1 carrying bar and insect-resistant 2036-1a carrying cry1Ac/sck, and their respective controls D68 and MH86, as well as indica variety MH63, a parental line for breeding MH86, and japonica variety ZH10. This experimental design allowed for comparing proteome difference caused by transgenes, conventional genetic breeding, and natural genetic variation. Proteomics analysis revealed the maximum numbers of differentially expressed proteins between indica and japonica cultivars, second among indica varieties with relative small difference between MH86 and MH63, and the minimum between GM rice and respective control, thus indicating GM events do not substantially alter proteome profiles as compared with conventional genetic breeding and natural genetic variation. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed 234 proteins differentially expressed in the 6 materials, and these proteins were involved in different cellular and metabolic processes with a prominent skew toward metabolism (31.2%), protein synthesis and destination (25.2%), and defense response (22.4%). In these seed proteomes, proteins implicated in the 3 prominent biological processes showed significantly different composite expression patterns and were major factors differentiating japonica and indica cultivars, as well as indica varieties. Thus, metabolism, protein synthesis and destination, and defense response in seeds are important in differentiating rice cultivars and varieties.     

Assessment of Real-time PCR Based Methods for Quantification of Pollen-mediated Gene Flow from GM to Conventional Maize in a Field Study

Maize is one of the main crops worldwide and an increasing number of genetically modified (GM) maize varieties are cultivated and commercialized in many countries in parallel to conventional crops. Given the labeling rules established e.g. in the European Union and the necessary coexistence between GM and non-GM crops, it is important to determine the extent of pollen dissemination from transgenic maize to other cultivars under field conditions. The most widely used methods for quantitative detection of GMO are based on real-time PCR, which implies the results are expressed in genome percentages (in contrast to seed or grain percentages). Our objective was to assess the accuracy of real-time PCR based assays to accurately quantify the contents of transgenic grains in non-GM fields in comparison with the real cross-fertilization rate as determined by phenotypical analysis. We performed this study in a region where both GM and conventional maize are normally cultivated and used the predominant transgenic maize Mon810 in combination with a conventional maize variety which displays the characteristic of white grains (therefore allowing cross-pollination quantification as percentage of yellow grains). Our results indicated an excellent correlation between real-time PCR results and number of cross-fertilized grains at Mon810 levels of 0.1–10%. In contrast, Mon810 percentage estimated by weight of grains produced less accurate results. Finally, we present and discuss the pattern of pollen-mediated gene flow from GM to conventional maize in an example case under field conditions.     

Genetically modified organisms and risks of their introduction

The major goal of this review is to assess food risks of the introduction of genetically modified (GM) crops. The author analyzes the properties of the several classes of target proteins used in the transgenic constructions and discusses the problems that arise due to the pleiotropic action of transgenic proteins, the horizontal transfer of the transgenic constructions, primarily in bacteria, and their instability. Particular consideration is given to elevated risks of using the GM plant varieties for producing pharmaceutical preparations, due to the probability of uncontrolled cross-pollination between the GM plants and the plants grown for foodstuff production. The author emphasizes the requirement for assessing in detail all hypothetic risks in each particular case of cultivating GM varieties; as a control, such assessment must involve a comprehensive comparison with the conventional parental forms.Translated from Fiziologiya Rastenii, Vol. 52, No. 1, 2005, pp. 115–128.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Kulikov.     

Engineered multidomain cysteine protease inhibitors yield resistance against western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis) in greenhouse trials

Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), cause very large economic damage on a variety of field and greenhouse crops. In this study, plant resistance against thrips was introduced into transgenic potato plants through the expression of novel, custom-made, multidomain protease inhibitors. Representative classes of inhibitors of cysteine and aspartic proteases [kininogen domain 3 (K), stefin A (A), cystatin C (C), potato cystatin (P) and equistatin (EIM)] were fused into reading frames consisting of four (K-A-C-P) to five (EIM-K-A-C-P) proteins, and were shown to fold into functional inhibitors in the yeast Pichia pastoris. The multidomain proteins were expressed in potato and found to be more resistant to degradation by plant proteases than the individual domains. In a time span of 14-16 days, transgenic potato plants expressing EIMKACP and KACP at a similar concentration reduced the number of larvae and adults to less than 20% of the control. Leaf damage on protected plants was minimal. Engineered multidomain cysteine protease inhibitors thus provide a novel way of controlling western flower thrips in greenhouse and field crops, and open up possibilities for novel insect resistance applications in transgenic crops.