Safety assessment of the calcium-binding protein, apoaequorin, expressed by Escherichia coli.
Calcium-binding proteins are ubiquitous modulators of cellular activity and function. Cells possess numerous calcium-binding proteins that regulate calcium concentration in the cytosol by buffering excess free calcium ion. Disturbances in intracellular calcium homeostasis are at the heart of many age-related conditions making these proteins targets for therapeutic intervention. A calcium-binding protein, apoaequorin, has shown potential utility in a broad spectrum of applications for human health and well-being. Large-scale recombinant production of the protein has been successful; enabling further research and development and commercialization efforts. Previous work reported a 90-day subchronic toxicity test that demonstrated this protein has no toxicity by oral exposure in Sprague-Dawley rodents. The current study assesses the allergenic potential of the purified protein using bioinformatic analysis and simulated gastric digestion. The results from the bioinformatics searches with the apoaequorin sequence show the protein is not a known allergen and not likely to cross-react with known allergens. Apoaequorin is easily digested by pepsin, a characteristic commonly exhibited by many non-allergenic dietary proteins. From these data, there is no added concern of safety due to unusual stability of the protein by ingestion.
Quincy Bioscience LLC, Suite 200, 301 South Westfield Road, Madison, WI 53717, United States. Electronic address: dmoran@quincybioscience.com.
Daniel L
DL
Moran
Food Allergy Research and Resource Program, 351 Food Industry Complex, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0919, United States.
Afua O
AO
Tetteh
Food Allergy Research and Resource Program, 351 Food Industry Complex, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68583-0919, United States.
Richard E
RE
Goodman
Quincy Bioscience LLC, Suite 200, 301 South Westfield Road, Madison, WI 53717, United States.
Mark Y
MY
Underwood
D000331:Aequorin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000633:toxicity*; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001059:Apoproteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology / Q000633:toxicity*; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology / Q000633:toxicity*; D019295:Computational Biology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010434:Pepsin A / Q000378:metabolism; D055550:Protein Stability; D051381:Rats; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000633:toxicity; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012449:Safety; D059550:Toxicity Tests, Subchronic
D000485:Allergens; D001059:Apoproteins; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C060014:apoaequorin; D000331:Aequorin; D010434:Pepsin A
Allergenicity; Apoaequorin; Bioinformatic; Calcium-binding protein; Safety assessment