Abstract

Genetically modified (GM) foods are derived from genetically modified organisms (GMOs), especially genetically modified plants (GMPs). In recent years GM foods have developed with the aim to achieve food security, health and food production. Tarom genetically modified (GM) rice has been created using cry1Ab gene transfer from Bacillus thuringiensis in Agriculture Biotechnology Research Institute of Iran. cry1Ab gene expresses a delta-endotoxin protein which is toxic to rice stem borer larvas. The use of bioinformatics screening for allergenicity assessment of novel proteins is recommended by the world health organization. Therefore, Bioinformatics analysis was implemented in order to study allergenicity of Cry1Ab protein. Cry1Ab protein sequence was aligned to seven allergen databases including FARRP, SDAP, ADFS, Allergome, Algpred, PSD, and Allermath. Sequence alignment was performed with the allergen proteins by three approaches including the full sequence, the 80 amino acids, and the 6-8 amino acids. The results showed neither significant alignment nor similarity of Cry1Ab protein at full sequence, domain, and epitope level with any of the known allergens. Our results indicate that Cry1Ab protein has no allergenic property based on bioinformatics analysis.

Keywords: Allergenicity, cry1Ab, GM food, In silico assessment, tarom Mola'i cultivar.

Graphical Abstract